Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-11-13
Save Your Seed Corn.


ONE great evil in seeding time is that
when all is ready for planting, and the
farmer goes to his crib to pick out his
seed, he suddenly becomes suspicious that
it will not grow. Nevertheless, the field
cannot wait; the best is selected and
planted, and he trusts to luck. This class
of farmers generally blame the cold sea
son, worms, gophers, mice, birds, and
many other things that are really more in
nocent than they are usually supposed to
be. saT .aD
When corn ripens upon the stalk per-
1ectly, before the advent of frosty nights,
and is thereafter placed in narrow cribs,
secure from wet, it will certainly grow, if
properly planted in the proper season;
but this perfect ripening does not usually
occur. The seasons Of 1871 and 1872
have been remarkable for the perfect
ripening OF corn throughout the West.
Consequently there have been no COM
plants about corn rotting in the ground
when properly planted. The present sea-
son, vast amount Of corn raised in the
West is imperfectly ripened That is,
there is more or less soft or shriveled corn
in the field. We may expect complaints,
next season, if seed be taken for planting
from such cribs promiscuously Itwould
planted next year, rather than trust to
such seed. Indeed, we know many good
farmers who keep ne-year-old seed al
ways on hand for just such emergencies.
1t is perfectly safe to plant it three years
old, if properly saved, but it does not
germinate as readily as new seed.
1t Is better, however, that seed be saved
every year. A good time to do this is
while husking. Whenever you come
across an exceptionally good ear, instead
of husking, break it with the husk re-
naming. In unloading, these unshucked
ears may be thrown aside, and at any con-
vehement time tied together and hung
across poles in some dry, airy situation;
Or, better, braid them into strings, and
hang them in the smoke-house and dry
them over moderate smoke. Served in
this way, they will not only terminate
surely, but quickly, and thereby much
veXation is saved.
In saving seed corn, select the upper
ear if there be two good ones on the stalk.
If both be not good, reject them. One
large ear is better than two small ones at
all events save only from stalks having the
most perfect ears. A field of corn planted
three feet eight inches each way, three
stalks to the hill, each bearing one large
ear, would produce a crop that would
surprise even some of our premium corn
growers. It is true that it costs some time
and labor to carefully select and save seed
corn; but, if saved in a conscientious
manner, and you have surplus, you need
have no scruples in asking your more in
dolent neighbor dollar and half
bushel for the seed. 1t may cost you one
dollar bushel to save it properly; and, if
no one choose to buy it, your seed will be
all right another year.
One more thing is worthy of mention in
relation to seed corn. When once, by care
and attention, you have secured variety
that ripens uniformly and well, do not be
in haste to change your seed. Experiment
as much as you please, but hold fast to
that which is good until you get better
Western Rural.