Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-04-12

perceptible to the ear as to the eye
Kansas City Journal.
Labor Involved in Testing Seed Corn.
The following contribution has
been received from subscriber Nels
Jefferson, Olds, iowa.
From what / have read concern
ing the advice that is given l some
times think that the process for Sc
lecting and testing seed corn is SO
long and tedious that comparatively
few will take the trouble to use it.
The idea of taking month to select
and test the seed will seem entirely
too long for most of farmers. And
the idea of taking half a dozen
grains of corn from differe mt parts Of
each ear and then planting them in
such a way as to be able to tell at
the end of the test just what ears
they were taken from, is a task that /
believe most farmers will shrink
from. Besides, while the test is
undouhtedlya perfect one, yet it
gives the person making it no prac-
tical experience or knowledge that
enables him, by examination, to
ascertain whether other corn not so
tested is good, except by going
threush Che sarae process --ssh IL.
Now it seems to the writer that
it would be a good plan to urge upon
the corn growers that they familiar
ize themselves with the difference in
looks and appearance of good corn
germs that are dead or alive, OF
those that are weak or strong. Fol-
they are so much unlike each other
in color and condition that a little
practice and observation along this
line soon enables one to distinguish
between them; particularly is this
the case with the dead germ and one
that is alive. To be able to tell a
weak germ from a strong one is more
difficult, but even this may, with
practice, be accomplished to a high
degree.
From experience and observation
l am satisfied that any one can then
by carefully examininga a couple Of
grains in each ear and selecting fo1
seed only such ears as show live and
strong germed grains, secure good
seed corn. I think this method has
one advantage, namely, that the per.
son who uses it acquires more anc
more efficiency each time he puts il
in practice. OF course one mus
have good corn to select from. There
is also precautionary measure it il
we'll to take and that is, shell a hal
bushel of corn. as above selected
mix it we'll and then take out hun
dred or more grains and plant in {
well protected place as early in th'
season as possible. Don't be afrait
to give it a tolerably severe test. l
it is good seed it will stand it al
right. Remember that what yo,
should know is that you have good
strong seed before you experimen
in the field, for then it might prov
a very expensive one if the see'
should prove weak. OF course it i
well enough to make preliminar,
[test of corn that you are expecting
to use for seed, which can be don
in the house in the early spring, bu
the final outdoor test should neve
be omitted.
Now the point 1 wish to make an
emphasize is this; Would it not b
better to more strongly urge tn
practice Of the common ordinary pre-
cautionary methods of selecting an
. testing seed corn? These method
I know from personal observatio
are grossly neglected, for many
time have looked into the boxes {
people planting corn where the dea
grains could be readily detected
This being the case, 1 repeat agai
would it not be better to more fore
bly, impress the simpler precautio1
, than to spend SO much effort in r
commencing tedious and difficu]
= processes that the class of col
growers who need the most promp
q ing. will under no Circumstance
make use of it? Do not understar
! me as finding any fault with IL
. methods urged for they are u
= doubtedly good. Ifear the troub
= is to get the people to observe ther
= l therefore think it would be got
. idea to add to them the mo
common methods and emphasi;
their observance in cases where pc
r pie are unwilling to make use Of Il
more complete and perfect plans.
. With reference to the matter
taking care Of the seed during Il
winter season, would say that viii
n this is, no doubt, an important poiI
yet it must be remembered that