Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-28

the test. These numbers should be
written from the top of the sheet
down and when the bottom is reach
ed new column should be>started
in the same way some distance from
the first.
Using an old fork we begin at
number % in the box If the ker
nels are all sprouted we write (g)
after the corresponding Q) on the
sheet of paper, which means that
the ear Q) is good. II part of the
kernels in number (2) have sprout-
ed and partnot, or if all have thrown
out weak sprouts we write (w)
after figure ~ on the sheet, which
means that ear ~ is weak. If all
the kernels in (3) have failed to
sprout we write a (b) after figure (3l
on the sheet, meaning that ear (3)
| is wholly bad. Thus we go through
the entire test, designating by (g),
(w), or (b) on the sheet whether the
ears have tested good, week, or bad.
Now we take our test sheet to the
corn arranged around the room and
if ear number Q) has proven good
we place it by itself. If ear (2) is
weak we place it by itself, and if ear
(3) is bad we place it by itself.
Thus we have three piles of corn
started and as we go through the
whole test these piles increase ac-
eording to the verdict indicated on
our test sheet.
The good corn is shelled and put
in sacks (about a bushel per sack).
The weak corn is examined and If
we are short Of seed is given another
t,st in the same manner. The Who'll
ly bad corn is fed out.
Not only is the testing of individ-
ual ears of value in determining the
vitality of the kernels, but it also
has an educational feature about it.
One can not have a number of
ears of corn placed before him in a
room of the house without compar-
ing one ear with another to some
extent. The mere placing Of the
ears side by side will cause one to
see that some are SO decidedly in
lerior to others that he must needs
reject them at once without testing
and fill their places with better
looking ears.
Neither can he remove from an
cara number Of kernals without,
noticing their shape and depth;
whether they shoulder together we'll
from crown to tip, not losing any
space at the cob, either between
kernals or between rows, thus re-
quiring in large measure the pro-
portion of cora 10 cob.
He will notice the size and thick
ness of the germ or heart of the
kaarhels and guess roughly the
amount Of starchy matter, all of
which enter into the feed value of
the ear.
When he removes the kernels he
will also notice the color of the cob,
for who wants anything but red
cob (the redder the better) in yellow
corn and white cob in the white
varieties?
He will notice whether the rows
of kernels on the cob are straight.
for this has a bearing upon the
amount of shelled corn he will get
per acre. Kernels will be more
uniform in size ON a straight rowed
ear, hence more of them per ear and
corresponding larger proportion
of corn to cob. Also kernels of uni
form size spell an evener stand oil
corn.
Where one selects only enough
seed corn Tor his own use, it is an
easy matter to get kernels Of such
uniform size than grader is neces-
sary if care is used in tipping and
butt:ng properly and sufficiently.
And by the way, here is an ex-
cellent opportunity for interesting
the small boy or girl in farm opera
tions. If shown the Importance of
care and attention in this testing of
corn they can do it, at least tie min
or details, as well if not better than
those older and Furthermore, take
keen enjoyment in seeing the good
kernels spring to life at time when
all thor vegetation is dead.
So on with the corn testing.
"Rah" for a bumper stand. Let
"More corn Of better quality, the
acre the unit be our slogan
Homestead.