52 Nebraska Agricultural Exp. Station Research Bul. 1G 
VITALITY OF CORN EXPOSED TO FREEZING TEMPERATURES 
IN THE FIELD 
GENERAL SURVEY 
As a sort of check on the work done under controlled con- 
ditions in the laboratory, a study was made of the vitality of 
corn exposed to fall and winter freezing in the field during 
the years 1013-1917. Moisture tests were made at die lime 
the corn was gathered. When the corn was thoroly dry, ger- 
mination tests were made and the color of the embryo was 
noted. A record is given of all freezing weather to which 
the corn was exposed prior to gathering. 
Because of the differences in exposure and the repeated 
freezing and thawing, these data are not strictly comparable 
with the data obtained from the laboratory tests. However, 
these data substantiate the principles established under the con- 
trolled conditions. 
Prior to these more detailed investigations, a general study 
of the condition of corn had been made in the fall of 1911 and 
1912. In the fall of 1911 a severe frost occurred on Novem- 
ber 11 and 12. At this time the temperature dropped so low, 
and corn contained so much moisture, that a very large per cent 
of the crop in Nebraska was frozen and its power of ger- 
mination destroyed. The average corn crop contained at that 
date from 20 to 25 per cent of moisture, and much of it con- 
tained more than this amount. The temperature fell as low 
as 2° F. and remained at that low mark for four hours. (Ta- 
bles 14 and 15.) Corn which ripened earlier and was drier, 
however, was not injured. This together with the other field 
studies and laboratory tests seems to indicate that corn which 
contains as low as 16 or 17 per cent of moisture is in no dan- 
ger of losing its vitality from exposure to the ordinary autumn 
freezes. 
The freezing which occurred in 1911 prior to November 
13 is indicated in Table 14. 
