138 SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



124. How to select grains according to composition. — 



Those kernels, which, in cross-section, show a large pro- 

 portion of germ, are rich in fat ; those with an abundance 

 of horny material are rich in protein; while those with 

 the greatest proportionate development of loose floury 

 material are richest in starch. It has been found that the 

 composition of the kernels of the entire ear is about the 

 same as that of any row of grains on the ear. 



125. Germination test. — Care should be taken to select 

 for planting onlj^ those ears on which nearly every grain 

 will germinate. In a good sample, 97 per cent of the 

 grains should sprout. A germination test of the ears 

 planted is important, even when a larger number of grains 

 is planted in each hill than will be left to grow there. This 

 test becomes doubly important when thinning is to be 

 avoided by planting in each hill onl}' the number of grains 

 expected to grow and to remain. 



Many ears, apparently sound, afford Imt a low percent- 

 age of germination. Among the signs of poor germination 

 are a dark area near the tip of the grain, or a shriveled tip ; 

 but many grains that appear to be sound fail to sprout. 



Some farmers have found it profitable to test for germination 

 every ear planted. The method used is the following : — 



The seed-ears are spread out on the floor in order and a number 

 attached to each by means of a small nail dri\en through a small 

 pasteboard label and into the butt end of the cob. Each ear 

 is given a number, and from each ear six or ten grains are removed, 

 these being taken from different parts of the ear. 



A germination-l)o.x is made bj' taking any shallow box of proper 

 size, placing in it one or more inches of damp sand or damp 

 sawdust (Pig. 73) . The sand is covered with a white cloth, which is 

 marked off with a pencil into squares aliout two inches each way, 



