66 THE BOOK OF CORN 



Further, as corn naturally crosses within the variety, it 

 would seem that there is little danger from the evil 

 effects of inbreeding, in the judicious selection of seed 

 from one variety or strain. 



SEED CORN STOREHOUSE 



In storing the seed, care should be taken that the 

 ears are thoroughly dried out before being placed in 

 a bin or other receptacle. This can be done by artificial 

 heat or by a stove in the seed house or other means. 

 In ordinary seasons fire drying is not absolutely neces- 

 sary, but is a precaution which it is wise to adopt 

 every season. 



The best plan to date is to place a single layer of 

 ears on the floor of a tight seed room. This seed room 

 should be sufficiently large to admit of storing all the 

 seed corn. This row of ears should be put down care- 

 fully, all ears being turned the same way. Now place 

 a second layer on top of the first, reversing the posi- 

 tion of butt and tip, so that the butts of the ears on the 

 second layer will rest on the tips of the ears of the first 

 layer. Lay two more sets of ears in similar position 

 on top of the first two. Then place a one by one-inch 

 piece on each side, one on tip and the other on butt. 

 In order to do this it will be advisable to have upright 

 two by four pieces set along the row about eight feet 

 apart. These small side strips can then be tacked on 

 either side of the upright pieces. This will permit the 

 piling of the corn from the floor to the ceiling, admit- 

 ting of the storing of a very large amount of corn in 

 the smallest possible space. 



It is convenient to have a small stove set in the 

 middle of the room so that on damp, cold days a slight 

 heat will dispel all moisture and remove all danger 

 from freezing. When the corn is to be taken down 

 the top layer should be removed first, with the aid of a 



