32 THE ROMANCE OF EVERIFARM 



listening to what Farmer Good was telling his men, 

 our complaining kernel saw Farmer Good come 

 direct to his wire rack, and begin taking out the good 

 sound ears and placing them in a box. As soon as he 

 came to the rough, loose ear he threw it into a 

 basket along with some others, and the boy carried 

 them out to Porky the hog. They might do for feed, 

 but as seed they were worthless. When Farmer 

 Good came to the big, strong, healthy ear on which 

 our complaining friend found himself that morning, 

 he placed him in the box at once, and said: 



"There is an ear of com that will make a record 

 for itself, as it has every required characteristic. 

 We will remember that fellow, for his number is 

 1548. There are fifteen generations of great pro- 

 ducers behind him and this fellow is one of the best 

 I have ever seen." 



While the kernel was wondering what was going 

 to happen to him next, Oldtimer, one of the best 

 men on the big farm, lifted him from the box and 

 with a knife removed ten bright kernels from the 

 ear and placed them in the germinator on the warm 

 sawdust. 



"Gee! what a relief," said our complaining friend, 

 as the adjoining kernel was removed, giving him 

 more elbow room. 



