120 CORN 



cate low vitality ; as for example, a moldy cob or dark colored germ, 

 giving evidence of having been injured, probably by freezing. These 

 should be cast aside at once. Ears which show a lack of breeding 

 may be discarded immediately, also. Having laid the ears out in 

 rows on the floor, where they are held in place by two nails at each 

 end of the rows, each tenth ear should be numbered, after which 

 the kernels may be taken out. 



It will be found convenient to handle corn which is to be tested in 

 trays of ten ears each. A small strip with holes bored in it large 

 enough to hold six kernels each, may be set in front of the tray. 

 After the kernels from each of the ten ears have been transferred to 

 this strip, they can be carried to the germination box and emptied on 

 the squares corresponding to their respective numbers; 



For convenience in counting the test afterward,' it is best to place 

 the kernels in two tiers of three kernels each, and as evenly as pos- 

 sible. Always lay the kernels side by side with the germ side up. 

 The tips of all the kernels should point toward that end of the box 

 having the squares with the highest numbers. Dampen the loose 

 piece of muslin and lay it over the kernels, taking care not to displace 

 any of them. On top of this place the larger cloth filled with wot 

 sawdust. Pack the corners down and press the entire mass firmly 

 against the corn. The box is now ready to be set away for six to 

 seven days, just as the temperature dictates. A furnace room fur- 

 nishes a convenient place for the germinating box. It should be left 

 in a suitable place where the temperature will be favorable for germi- 

 nation, from so to 70 degrees Fahrenheit being very desirable. Do 

 not let the temperature fall below freezing. 



The Result of the Test. By the time the stem sprouts have grown 

 two inches in length a careful study of the results can be made. Be- 

 ginning at one end of the box roll up the cloth containing the sawdust, 

 pressing down hard as it is rolled back. If the mass is lifted bodily 

 from the box, the kernels are likely to be dislodged. The second 

 piece of muslin can then be peeled back slowly, and carefully re- 

 moved. Some rootlets may have penetrated it, hence there is a 

 liability of displacing the kernels. 



When this has been done, place the box at the head of row No. 

 I. Begin with ear No. i. Examine the result of square No. i. There 

 should be two separate sprouts appearing — the stem sprout and the 

 root sprout, the former protruding from the upper or crown end of 

 the kernel, the latter extending from the tip end of the germ. The 

 root sprout is smaller in diameter and longer. It will often appear one 



