Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-02-16

Southern Ia 10 ~
Av. of State 20 IA Sc
While some samples were very
good, others were worthless for
seed. The average seed for the state
is undoubtedly much below that sent
to Ames to compete for prizes.
The Necessity for Testing Six OF
More Kernels from each Ear
Intended for Seed was never
so Great as It is this
Wear.
Many will have to buy the seed
they plant this spring. This seed
should be purchased as near home Of
possible. Corn grown from seed
brought in from distance does moi
yield as we'll nor mature as well al
that from home grown seed.
The Extension Department Is al
ready receiving inquiries for seed
In order that such inquiries. may Dc
referred to men in their own sec
lions, it will be appreciated IL those
having seed or cribs Of old corr
which is in good condition will write
to the Extension Department giyint
the variety, amount, and price Of the
seed which they have to sell.
Let every man test six kernels fror
each ear he plants. This should bs
done during the last Of February an
the first of March SO that thos'
who do not have enough seed of thei
own may have time to secure II from
some of their neighbors.
The termination Box.-Get Rid o
81. the Poor Ears.
The most practical way for test
ing the termination of each ear Q
seed corn is by using termination
box. This is a simple affair ant
can be made by any one In an hour
Any box about three or four inches
deep and 80 by 30 inches in siz'
may be used. Fill the box abou
half full of moist sawdust wei
pressed down SO that 1t will leave
smooth even surface. The sawdus
should be, put in gunny sacl
and set in a tub of warm water TO
at least an hour for still better owe
night, SO that 1t will be thorough,
moistened before using. Rule off
piece Of good white cloth (sheeting
about the size of the box, checke
board fashion, two and half inch
cs each way. Number the squares
Q, 8, and SO on. Place 1t over tn
saw dust and tack to the box a
the corners and edges. Lay out tn
ears to be tested side by side OF
the floor; remove one kernel froI
near the butt, middle and tip Of tn
ear; turn the ear over and remoy'
three kernels from the opposite sid
in like manner, making six kernels IL
all thus securing a sample from tn
entire ear. Place the six kernels a
the end of the ear from which the
were taken. Use care that the kern
els do not get mixed with the ,ker
nels from the ear next/to 1t. Ate
the kernels are removed boards ma
be laid over the rows of corn tt
keep them in place until the GERM
nation is known. Place the kernel
from the ear of corn No. in squar
No. of the termination box; from
ear No. in square No. and SO OF
with all the ears. Lay a piece o
good cloth on topsof the kernels ant
dampen by sprinkling water over ii
Then place over this a cloth consid
erably larger than the box and fill
in on top of this with about two inch
es of moist sawdust and press dow
firmly, folding the edges of cloth t
cover the sawdust. Keep in warn
place where 1t will not freeze. Thu
kernels will terminate in about
days. Then remove the cover care
fully to avoid misplacing the kernel'
In the squares. Examine the kernel
in terminating box and 4 discard al
ears that are worthless or SHOW
weak termination.
This box as it is made up with The
corn in it and ready to be set TO-
termination may be described as fol
lows, Two inches of moist sawdus
firmly packed in the bottom; ther
laid. upon this sawdust is the germi
nation cloth (ruled in squares) with
the kernels of corn laid upon it, {
second cloth spread over the ker
nels, then third cloth larger thar
the box spread over this with two
inches of moist sawdust packed firm
ly over this.
Special Things to be Observed.
Be sure to soak the sawdust al
least one hour or better still, oyel
night.
Use good quality of cloth (sheet