The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-08-31
THE FARM.
Suggestions by the Prairie Farmer
for the Selection of Seed Corn.


The early fall is, we believe, univer-
sally considered to be the best time 10
select seed corn. Perhaps the best plan
to make such selection is to go through
the field as soon as the corn is fully ma
tured and gather the largest and earliest
ripened ears. These can be more readily
selected then than after harvesting the
crop. But the ears should be fully dry,
for If pulled when too sappy there will
be great danger of decay. There is very
great advantage in thus selecting corn.
especially in ATTITUDES where corn is like.
ly to be caught by frost before matur.
ing, for by always selecting the earliest
rpening ears crops produced from them
will tend to mature earlier, and thus the
risk OF the crop is lessened. On this
point another good plan may be suggest.
ed, which is to go through the field al
aforesaid and instead of pulling the SO.
lected ears bend down the tops of the
stalks so that they may be recognized
when harvesting the crop, taking care
tnen TO keep them separated from the
other corn. BY so doing the curing and
drying of the ears will be more certain.
However, fall rains often injure corn
very much, but unless the corn be pros
trated on the ground moisture from
rains merely is not apt to injure the
vitality of the seed, as will that of sap.
Sap, we know, fingers long in the cob,
and its effects will thereby the more
surely reach the vital part of the grain,
and corn gathered in this condition and
housed is sure to become more or less
injured. Some recommend suspending
the ears selected for seed, when moi
fully dry, in dry room. This does
well enough if not put in one about
stove, as the kitchen stove, where seeds
so often find place, and where they are
likely to be injured by the hot vapor
arising from the stove. A very safe
place is the barn loft, and to protect II
against mice and rats here, stretch wires
from one rafter to its opposite, and on
these suspend the ears tied in pairs or
punches.
The larger grown and earlier maturing
ears OF corn are those, as a rule, possess
ing the greater vitality, and plants from
such will to a great extent, often greater.
NoAAfO thOoo QudlJlce, anu III TURN lIQs
part them to others, and hence, by
always selecting the most vigorous and
earliest maturing, steady improve.
ment in this line may be made. An.
other important means of vitalizing and
otherwise improving the qualities Of
corn is that of growing small crops
especially for seed, and growing it, too,
on ground of less fertility than that on
which the crop from such seed is to be
grown. 1t seems to be an inherent prin-
ciple in animated nature that that
which is not SO highly pampered or pro.
vided for acquires greater energy OF
vitality in its struggle for existence,
evidences of which we find exhibited
both in animal as well as in vegetable
productions.
Whercsoever the seed be produced,
ears of symmetrical shape, we'll filed
with deep grains and on small cob, are
the best type, and should be selected.
Also the best developed ear on stalks
bearing two or more ears, Ii fully ma.
tured, should be taken. Such will have
tendency to increase the productive.
ness of seed.