The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-10
Saving Seed Corn.

The question as to the proper time TO save
seed corn is one upon which there is great diver
sty of opinion. large number seem TO be of
the opinion that the seed should be selected as
soon as the grains are glazed, and cured by dry
ing in the air Saving unripe seed corn is wrong,
both in theory and fact. Aside from the fact
that immature seed tends to promote earliness
in ripening, there is nothing else to sustain the
practice. In every plant none but the most
fully matured seed is proper for planting
Probably the reason why corn alone has been
made the exception to the rule is from the fact
that while other cereal grains become quite ripe
and dry during the warm season. alone
often requires artificial help to fully dry and
harden it before winter sets in. So common
is the failure to get corn fully dry, as
commonly gathered and cribbed, that when
shelled and marketed before the warm weather
of the succeeding season, great difficulty is often
experienced in preventing the grain from heat
ing. A nd in exporting corn across the ocean. 1t
is the exception, rather than the rule, that it
does not become more or less bitter, and other
wise damaged as food. unless Kindred. In
fact, when saved in the ordinary Western cribs,
eight to ten feet wide, considerable percentage
is damaged during the winter and spring unless
in exceptional seasons for ripening and curing
So the failure of seed to grow, when taken from
the crib, is we'll known, and of late years this
mas constantly been source of disappointment
to the farmer Yet the vitality of Indian corn
is fully great as that of any other grain If it
becomes fully ripe
There is only one sure way to have seed-corn
avery grain of which will grow and which will
hold its vitality intact throughout the winter.
The ears must be fully ripe, they must be fully
dried out before hard freezing weather, and they
must be kept thoroughly dry if exposed to cold
during the winter. If kept in an atmosphere
above the freezing point, with natural degree
of moisture or such as will be naturally neld
when not kept in warm dry atmosphere, so
much the better.
The Indian plan of saving seedcorn is I'M
dash fnAlxz fhn h0c% 0f hn Gnnof fV1llx
ripened ears selected by the sqnaws at husk
ing-time Husk enough is left on the ear so two
ears may be tied together. 1t is strung over
poles in the lodge, and when fully dry-just be-
fore freezing weather sets init is stacked in q
small pit a sandy ridge and covered secure
from wet during the winter. Food corn is saved
in the same way, except that it is packed away
point down, after driving. with the husks at
tached. Such corn, if fully ripe, is also sure to
grow.
The following excerpts from articles lately
published will show the idea held-uot gener
ally, it is true-by portion of tho agricultural
press. A writer says: From experimenting
We have found that corn If properly cared for
will grow when it is we'll out of the milk, or
when it first becomes glazed. The kernels WILL
of course, shrink in SIZE but it will grow just
well as it would if fully matured."
Another excerpt reads: sit is better to com
mence this work early in the season than to wait
until the corn is fully matured before selecting
the seed, because the earliest and best can
then be selected. and it is well demonstrated
that such seed will ripen earlier than that
lected later in the season."
Still another piece of advice is: Every
farmer should save his own seed and not de-
pend on his neigh Dor for it. The best time to do
this is in the early fall. just soon as the kerr
nels are free from milk
|. The error in each of these three excerpts is in
advising to save seed from urripe corn. There
is no reason for so doing unless frost touches
the crop before the corn is ripe. and this is
occurrence When So it is far better to fall
back on seed of the preceding year that has been
properly saved. To have seed, select fully
ripe. perfectly formed ears, either in the field
at husking time thoroughly dry them by braid
ing the husks together and hanging them in an
airy room, one where there may be fire heat, if
necessary Or, place the ears on racks or Stats,
where they may be dried quickly. If fire is used
few days will SO dry the corn that it may be
put in narrow crib, if the moisture is fully
eliminated. Then the process may be repeated
until enough seed is secured for the next season.
Thus saved, it may cost SO, CO. or 20 cents per
bushel. but it will be worth far more than that,
for every seed will not only grow under proper
conditions, but will develop strong, healthy
nlank