Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-03-23
A Word to Farmers.

Now, while seed-time is far distant,
farmers should examine their seed
corn.
Last season was cold and late, and
much soil that was planted failed to
terminate by reason Of the cold. damp
soil, while that which managed to start
grew but slowly and sickly, and was
long in maturing, SO that when cold
weather came on all was more OF less
soft, and the autumn being cool it hard
ened but slowly.
Much was entirely ruined for seed by
the early frosts, and nearly all has since
had its vitality destroyed by the cold
snap in early December which froze the
but partly-dried germs.
Those farmers who, early in the fall,
fearing that there would be but little
corn suitable for seed, gathered their
seed-ears from fields unfnjured by the
frosts and hung them in airy drying
places, may be pretty certain that they
will experience no inconvenience from
their seed not terminating; but still it
may be best to test it's vitality, and for
doing SO there is no time like the pres
ent.
A good method is to select hundred
kernels Unfortunately from your
seed-ears and place them between two
wooden cloths, which must be kept
damp and in place of seventy degrees,
Fahrenheit's, or in the ordinary temper
AZURE of a living room in winter; or the
kernels may be placed in a glass bottle
and covered with water. and hung in
the window or near the fire; or if con-
venient place the kernels in q shallow
box of earth.
In q few days, if the seeds are good,
the sprouts will b egin bursting their in
teguments, and then the terminated
kernels can be counted and the per
cent. that will develop is readily ascer-
tanned, and plans made accordingly.
1t is surprising what a small number
of kernels have vitality the present
season.
The majority of farmers select their
seed-ears when husking, as in this man.
ner they obtain the best and most pro-
SSssve ears; but this year such farm
ers have performed a losing labor.
Those farmers who examined their
corn during the time that the mercury
fell SO low in December, noticed Il
looked dark, as though it had been
cooked, and on breaking the covering
found the sprouts frozen. Complaints
81 this nature come from all parts Of
the country.
Such corn, of course, will never ger
inmate, and it will be necessary to OBJ
tain old corn for seed or produce no
corn. There is but little old corn in
the country, and, if any can be found,
every farmer should obtain enough of
it for seed. Probably a good price will
be asked for it, but it is better to pay
good price for good seed, than a poor
price for poor seed.
New corn is bringing . low price at
present, as much Of it is souring in the
cribs and dealers are 10th to take it,
but probably before another summer 10
will touch high price. Old corn il
sound and reliable. and prices paid for
it seem fancy, though not in reality 50,
as it is much superior to the new.
Farmers time and labor are not
pressing US at present, and we can bet
ter afford to give a little attention to
our seed now, and be sure of 8 good
crop, than to labor all the spring and
find our seed refusing to start, and
be obliged to hunt up some old corn,
If any can be had, and plant all our
fields over again right in the busiest
season.-PratTie Farmer.