The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-12-10
& q
Sarm, S=rasn 6omssBols.
SEED CORN.

One great evil iu seeding time is
that' when all is ready for planting,
and the farmer goes to his crib to pick
ont his seed, he suddenly becomes
suspicious that it will not grow. Ney-
erthcless, the Geld cannot wait the
best Is selected and planted, and he
trusts to luck.
When corn ripens upon the stalk
perfectly, before the advent of frosty
nights, and thereafter placed in mar
row cribs secure from wet, it viii
certainly grow, if properly planted in
the proper season; but this perfect RI
pe"lns does not unusually occur
The seasons Of 1871 and 1872 have
been remarkable for the perfect ripeB-
ing Of corn throughout the Vest
Consequently there have been no
complaints about corn rotteniig in the
ground when properly planted. The
present season, q vast amount of the
corn raised in the West is imperfectly
rlpened. That is, there is more or less
soft and shrivelcd corn in the field
We may expect complaints, next sea-
son, If seed be taken for planting from
such cribs promiscuously. 1t would
be Tar better that two-year-old seed
We're planted next year, rather than
trust to such seed. Indeed We know
many good farmers who Kept one-year-
Old seed always on hand for just such
emergencies, It 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. 4 good time to DO
this is while husking. Whenever
y0a come across an exceptionally good
car: instead Of lusking, break it, with
the husk remaining. In unloading
these unshucked ears may be thrown
aside, and at any convenient time, tied
together and hung across poles in some
dry, airy situation : or, better, braid
them into strings and hang them in
the smokehoase and dry them over a
moderate smoke. Served in this way
they not only germinate surely but
quickly, and thereby much vezation is
saved.
Flint, Or, as it is called, Yankee
corn, gins t. dry first in the grain.
With our Western dent varieties, the
reverse is the case. These commence
driving at the cob hence the Grain
Of the first is plump and round, and
that Of the latter is long and indented.
Hence, also, flint corn may be cut and
shocked much grecner, comparatively,
than the Western varieties. For this
reason, the seed of the flint varieties
is surer to grow when husked from
the shock than the dent varieties, for
the reason that, the husk being thin
ner and the grain more shallow: it is
not 50 easily injured in the grain as
the dent.
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 4 crop that would even sup !
prise some Of our premium corn grow
ers. 1t is true that it costs time and
labor to carefully select and save seed
cora; but if saved in conscientious
manner, and you have surplus. You !;
need have no scrupies in aaking your
more indolent neighbor dollar and,a !
half bushcl for the seed. It may
cost you one dollar buShcl to save it ,
properly: and, ifuo one choose to buy
it, your seed will be all right another
year.
One more thing worthy Of mention
in relation to secd-corn. When once,,
by care and attention, you have secur
cd variety that r!pcns uniformly and
well, do not be in haste to change
y9nr seed. Experiment as much as
y"u please, bat hold fast to that which
is good until you get hetter,-Hes.
tern R'u0E-