FARM HANDICRAFT FOR SCHOOLS. 
15 
To provide pegs on which to string the wire to make the squares, 
drive 6-penny nails 2 inches apart into the top edges of the sides 
and ends of the box, allowing the heads to project J inch above the 
surface of the wood. Stretch the broom wire or cord around the 
nails to form the division, as shown in the drawing. Print letters 
and figures along one end and side, as shown in the drawing. Place 
sand or soil in the box, and it is ready for use. 
A seed germinator similar in construction to the one just de- 
scribed, but without the wires, is often used in seed-corn testing 
work. Figure 23 shows a perspective drawing of a convenient- 
sized tester of this kind. The box is 12^ inches wide, 18^ inches 
long, and 2 inches deep. A box of this size will test 45 ears of corn. 
The box used in the previous exercise can be used if desired. Half 
fill the box with sand or sawdust that has been soaked in water at 
least an hour, pack the material level, and above it stretch a piece 
Fig. 23.— Seed germinator. 
of muslin that has been ruled into 2-inch squares. Number the 
squares from 1 to 45, as shown in the illustration. Place the kernels 
to be tested, germ side up, in the spaces, cover the cloth with another 
piece of cloth a few inches larger than the box, and place wet sand 
or sawdust above this cloth. Cover the box with a piece of glass 
or oilcloth to prevent evaporation of the moisture and set it away 
in a warm place for a few days. When examining the kernels to 
see if they have germinated, always roll the top cloth back care- 
fully, otherwise you are likely to get the kernels from the different 
squares out of place. In the illustration the part marked A shows 
germinated kernels, that marked B the numbered squares, and that 
marked C the kernels ready to be tested. 
Instead of filling the box with sand or sawdust, the seed bed 
can be made of heavy canton flannel or similar material. Use two 
or three thicknesses in the bottom of the box and one or two thick- 
nesses for covering the kernels. A new cloth should be washed 
before using. It is well to bear in mind that canton flannel comes 
