56 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



if not well dried, a temperature not far below freezing will injure it 

 and destroy its vitality or germinating power and make it worthless 

 for seed. 



Germination Test. — The importance of securing a perfect stand of 

 strong plants in the cornfield cannot be overestimated. Aside from field 

 conditions favorable to germination and the proper placing of the corn in 

 its seed-bed, there are two dominant factors on which perfection of stand 

 depends: first, the vitality of the seed; second, requisite number of 

 kernels in each hill or regular and uniform spacing if planted in drills. 



A vitality or germination test of seed-corn should always be made. 

 It should be made several weeks before corn is required for planting, 

 so that there may be time to secure a new supply in case the seed 



has been injured. There are several 

 simple methods of making such tests, 

 but in all cases every ear should be 

 tested. 



Germinating Box. — A box about 

 18 inches square and 3 inches deep, 

 two-thirds full of clean sawdust or 

 sand, is most convenient for germi- 

 nating corn. The material should be 

 thoroughly moistened and smoothed 

 to a level in the box. Lay the ears of 

 corn on the barn floor, tips to tips in 

 double rows. Number every tenth 

 ear with a small paper tag stuck 

 between the rows. Remove from 

 various parts around the ear, and from 

 butt to tip, five grains from each ear. 

 Now cover the sawdust in the box 

 with a piece of white cloth marked off into squares 1§ inches on a side 

 with a lead pencil, preferably an indelible pencil, and numbered consecu- 

 tively. In the squares, place the five grains from each ear separately, 

 exercising care that the grains from, each ear are placed in the square 

 with the number corresponding. Cover the grains thus placed with 

 another cloth of close weave or a fold of the one under the corn, to pre- 

 vent the sprouts from coming through, and spread over all a piece of 

 burlap or a gunny sack well soaked in water. The requisites for germina- 

 tion are air, warmth and moisture. The temperature of the living room or 

 kitchen is about right, providing it does not fall below 55 degrees at night. 

 If the temperature is favorable germination will have taken place in four 

 to six days. Any ear failing to give five kernels vigorously germinated 

 should be rejected. A handy man, working systematically, can test five 

 or six bushels of corn in a day. It is work that should never be neglected 



1 Courtesy of International Harvester Company, Agricultural Extension Department. 



Good and Poor Types of Kernels. 1 



The top kernels came from an ear 

 with too much space at cob, indicating 

 low yield, poor feeding value, immatur- 

 ity. Compare them with the kernels 

 in the bottom row. 



