River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-04-24
Seed Corn.

We take the following from Bulletin
No. 2, just issued from the Agricultural
Station at Madison:
"From study of this subject we are
led to make the following statements;
In some sections of the state there is
an abundance of seed corn, while in 9TH
ers there is great dearth. Much of the
seed especially in the northern part of
the state, is Of low terminating power, If
not worthless. i
Those having extra seed, as well as
those wanting, should advertise at once.
The local press as well as the agricultu-
raj papers, should be used for that pur-
pose Parties with seed for sale, by con-
sulting the reports from correspondents,
can learn which districts lack seed, and
from the Blue Book for 1888 can ascer-
tain the name and addresses Of publishers
in the state. Reliable seed dealers in
our state and at Chicago have seed for
sale; their catalogues should be consult
ed. Farmers should club together and
get seed in bulk. The Experiment Sta
ton will aid parties with seed to sell or
those wishing seed.
Costly experience last season taught
our farmers that Nebraska and Kansas
grown seed is unfit for our state. This
wear Tie Itl5AthC Will ne TeDtdttNl ny
those buying seed from Ohio and Pensyl-
yania There are parties trying to place
thousands of bushels of the Leaning va
riety of dent corn in our state, claiming
that it will ripen in ninety days. At
the Experiment Station, last season, the
Leaning corn was tested and found
acholLy unfit for Wisconsin, where it will
no ripen short of one hundred and ten
or twenty days. Varieties marked Sex
ira early, from central Ohio, were equal
" slow in maturing. If we must 60 out
of the state for seed we should secure
that grown ON parallel north of us rath-
er than south. Our best foreign seed
will come from Minnesota or northern
Michigan, and possibly New York or
Vermont may supply some of fair quality:
The statements of those having seed
to sell y no have had no experience with
growing corn in our state, are worthless
in this matter and should not be relied
upon.
All seed should be tested at once, and
again Just before planting. At the Ex-
pertinent Station, seed which grew per-
fectly about January first now shows fifty
per cent. as unfit to plant.
As the germs of much of the seed corn
are weakened by immaturity it would
be well to delay planting until the soil IS
warm and weather settled, as cold Weatfl-
er and wet cold soil may kill much of the
corn that might grow under more fayora-
bic conditions.
Much of the corn grown this season Will
at best be but partly satisfactory to the
farmer; to be better ready FOR another
season small lots of several varieties may
be planted in addition to the main crop
and from the best Of these next fall, seed
for the following season can be gathered.
Many Of our cribs are already empty !;
before midsummer the want of corn will
be most keenIy felt. TO shorten the PEE
Rod of want q few acres of early flint
corn may be grown which viii be ready
for hogs BY the middle Of August. At
the north, when the season is short, peas
| may be sown for early feed.
The cost of seed corn, even at the high
est price charged, is not excessive as
compared with that Of other grains. AT
five dollars per bushel the corn required
to- plant an acre costs no more than the
oats at ordinary prices necessary to
seed an acre, and is cheaper than wheat.
In colclusion it Is urged that our farm
ers ly all possible means labor to secure
an enlarged acreage of corn this season
by planting good seed, securing good
stand and giving thorough tillage, that
| when fall comes the cribs so long empty
| will again be filed to overfiowIng.