The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1905-03-03
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( Che Jartn and Grove. (
y Cobyfghted6y Rural Press Syndicate. (
( HE. STOcKBRlOGE, PHI. D.. Editor. !
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SEED CORN.


called heavy corn yields. Though
crops of forty bushels per acre are
not very exceptional, and double
this yield is occasionally found in
considerable fields, the indisputable
fact remains than the average crop
of the state is but bushels per acre.
For the great difference between
the average and the good crop OF
every community there is no excuse
in natural conditions. Soil and eli
matte conditions, though not Ideal,
can not he held responsible for this
low yield of our corn fields. Poor
blowing, lack of proper cultivation,
disregard of rotation and absence OF
adequate frrtiliZing are all contribu-
tory causes to the disgraceful small
ness of our corn crop. The most inn
pOrtant and invariable cause for the
condition noticed must be found in
the almost total disregard OF all
proper care in the selection of seed
Poor seed, ineXcusably poor seed,
must take most of the blame for our
poor crops.
There are IL few simple principles
of seed selection which if put into
practice on all Florida farms would
in three years double the average
crop of the state without increasing
its cost, or necessitating the pur-
chase of bushel of seed from out
side the state.
! A perfect stand is the first essen
tial to any good crop. Good seed,
that is live seed, seed which will
terminate, is the first requisite to
increased corn crops. This must he
assured by the use of seed not more
than two years old. Comparatively
| few planters are aware that corn be-
gins to lose lis vitality in two years.
After that age the proportion which
Will sprout constantly diminishes.
! | f the age of the corn is not positive
ly known, and it's quality beyond
dispute, test its termination before
planting. Take II hundred kernels
and roll up in Il piece of cotton cloth.
! Dip the end of the roll in a tumbler
of water and set in warm place.
| In six days unroll and count the I'M
Sprouted kernals. This will give the
proportion of poor seed. If 3, or any
other proportion, fail to sprout in
crease the quantity of seed used in
the same proportion, and you still
have the needed quantity of good
seed to make a perfect stand.
Next in Importance is the origin
of the seed. Certain varieties are
more prolific than others. These
are the ones which should be select
ed The same principle pertains to
your own homegrown seed. In
every field there are many stalks
which will bear two well matured
ears, though the majority have but
one. N,ver take seed from stalks
bearing less than two good ears. Oc-
casiOnaIly you may find three
cared stalk; this is better still. This
practice alone will rapidly increase
the yield.
The shape of the ear has much to
do with the yield of corn. Ears per-
fectly filled out at the ends are the
only ones which should be selected.
The tips should be as nearly square
cut ali possible. The sides of the
ears, from end to end, should be
nearly straight The cars should
not taper at the tips. The kernels
should be deep set, and the cob
small.
After all these precautions have
been followed one other is necessary.
The seed should be taken only from
the middle of the ears. About an
inch of corn ut each end of the cob
should be sheIlcd off and discarded
from the seed.
There is nothing theoretical about
these claims, or the methods of es-
tablishing them. They have been
| nj tihulIU 1nb1Tn OF In taH avian and
over again ON thousands of farms
They are among the chief methods
by which most of the seed on the
market, for which phenomical
yields are claimed, has been pro-
duced. Some of them are among the
secrets of the good corn grow ers of
every locality. All put together,
and practiced on one crop cOntinu-
OusIy and the result is easily ana
inevitably rapid and constant in
crease in the yield.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
Q. Considering the known influ-
ence of the phases of the moon on
storms and rainfall, is there any es-
tablishPd scientific foundation for
| the common superstitiOus as to the
effects of the moon on the time Cor
planting, meat curing and other farm
operations?
A. Frequently us this question
may be answered, it seems doubtful
| If the natural superstition of the
human race will ever permit all be-
lief in the value of Omens and as
| Economical signs to disappear. Your
question might be answered categOr-
Ically, No! Yet there are certain
reasons, or possible excuses, for some
of these common beliefs, which
should perhaps not be wholly over
looked. Change in weather is apt to
follow change in the phase of the
moon. If it has been dry, the change
may naturally be to raia Seed
planting might be dependant on
these expected showers. If cool
weather proceeds the change in the
moon, the change may naturally be
followed by warm weather, and
meat may be caught in such Il warm
spell and spoil. 1t may therefore be-
easily seen that it is quite possible
that in the experience OF any person
there may occur sufficient ubserva-
tiOn, tho not actual evidence, to
make one slow in soothing at some
ill-founded beliefs.
q. What is the age of what is so
often mentioned in the press as
baby beef2"
A. Yearling animals are slaugh-
tered for the beef now largely
quoted in the markets by the name
you use. From ~ to IS months old
steers make the bulk OF this beef.
Occasionally animals not quite
full year in age are killed to supply
the demand. Many animals run
ming the full two years limit fall in-
TO this class. The dnsiderntnm