Freezing Injury of Seed Corn 
71 
temperature of 31.5° F. Thus the freezing temperature of this 
first freeze penetrated thru the husks to the center of the ear. 
The grain on the more immature ears was considerably frozen. 
The selection of the various samples, as described in Table 28, 
was based entirely upon the external appearance and feel of 
the ear. At each successive selection the corn was noticeably 
drier. However, each sample in the later selections was chosen 
as nearly as possible to duplicate the corn in the corresponding 
sample in the first selection. No attention was given to the 
appearance of the germ in selecting each sample. However, 
the germs were later examined for color, and the probable ger- 
mination was estimated, based upon the color of the germ. The 
data in Table 28 show that a fairly reliable estimate of 
viability may be made by an examination of the germ. 
The data in Table 29 indicates that most of the freezing 
injury to seed corn in the field in 1917 occurred between 
October 8 and November 19, and that little injury occurred 
following this date. Altho much more severe freezing followed, 
the corn had dried out sufficiently to withstand it. In general, 
corn in the field which was sound on November 19, 1917, was 
also sound on January 15, 1918. 
The vitality of grain containing more than 17 per cent 
of moisture on November 19 was so reduced by the temperatures 
which prevailed up to that date as to make it unreliable for 
seed purposes. On the other hand, the driest grade standing in 
the field, and that from the shocked corn, was not injured 
seriously, giving germination tests of 86, and 88 per cent per- 
fect germination respectively, tho exposed to all the low tem- 
peratures prior to January 17. On this date, the field from 
which the various selections reported in Tables 28 and 29 were 
made tested 31 per cent germination, field-run. 
CONDITION OF CORN IN CRIBS ON JANUARY 26, 1918 
The condition of corn in three Lancaster County corncribs 
was investigated on January 26, 1918. These cribs contained 
Reid’s Yellow Dent, Chase’s White Dent and St, Charles’ White 
Dent corn. The crib-run tests of these cribs were 45, 39, and 
26 per cent germination respectively. The corresponding tests 
of seed selected because of the sound outward appearance of the 
ears were 86, 89, and 90 per cent germination. It was estimated 
that to select 1 bushel of these grades of corn from each of 
these cribs required 80, 100, and 140 minutes respectively for 
one man. All these tests could doubtless have been improved 
by further testing and elimination of the inferior ears. Seven, 
