PREPARING SEED CORN FOR PLANTING 123 
making numerous tests from all parts of the plant. If a 
certain percentage of germination is guaranteed the grower 
is honor bound, as well as required by law, to replace or 
return the purchase price for all seed falling short of germi- 
nation standard. 
If there is any doubt about the vitality of seed corn pur- 
chased from a seed firm or neighbor, it should be tested 
before making a complaint. A conservative seed corn grower 
will always guarantee less than the results of the germina- 
tion tests, as most breeders do. A guarantee of ninety-five 
per cent is a strong guarantee for seed that will usually go 
over ninety-nine per cent. 
Some customers, in placing their order for seed corn, 
state that they expect to test the seed when it arrives; and 
if it does not test a certain amount, it will be returned. 
This is sometimes a stiff proposition but it is made fairly 
and squarely. The breeder alone knows whether or not his 
seed will come up to the requirements and the order should 
be accepted or declined accordingly. 
Tue Four EssENTIALS OF GERMINATION 
All seeds, to make the most rapid growth, must be strong 
in vitality. The seed bed also must be of the right tempera- 
ture and must contain the proper amount of moisture and 
oxygen. 
If corn is gathered: before it has had time to ripen in 
the field, the kernels will be immature. Immature corn, due 
to the larger amount of sugar in the kernels, will usually 
germinate rapidly under ideal conditions, but since it has a 
small reserve of plant food, the kernels will rot if the ground 
is cold and wet, before the young rootlets have a chance to 
draw from outside sources. 
