Evening journal., 1911-05-06
eoop srEp.

As the springtime with it's sowing
and planting Is again with US it is
well as in the years gone 10 take
stock Of the kind Of small grain and
corn which is TO be used in the pro-
duction Of the new crop. II one does
not have plump. well filed small
grain seed of bis own raising II can be
got at a reasonable price from neigh
Dor or scotsman. Care should be
taken that such seed is well cleaned
and free from noxious weed seeds.
The extra quality which a few cents
a bushel viii secure is more than
made up in the better stand and more
vigorous growth which win be OBJ
tanned. The earth bed in which this
seed is put should not be given scrub
preparation, but should be made fine
and mellow and the seed drilled In 10
an even depth In the case OF the
seed corn a careful individual ear test
should be made A farmer OF good
sense and eyesight who has had ex-
perience in the matter can without
doubt tell whether a given kernel OF
corn win Cerminate in a majority OF
cases by cutting through the chit. or
germ. with a jackknife; but. since
the kernels on one side Of an ear
may be good and on the other bad.
the testing box method is a good deal
safer. There are a number OF mex
pensive ready made testers on the
market which are very convenient
" equipped but a homemade tester
consisting Of a shallow box about
. by feet and four or Eve inches
deep ana three pieces OF muslin ex-
ceeding the dimensions Of the box by
about eight inches will answer the
purpose nicely. About three inches OF
sawdust or earth should be put in the
box, leveled or and hrmed down.
Over this should be spread one OF the
pieces Of muslin. previously marked on
10 two and half inch squares and mum.
bered consecutively, beginning at one
corner. The edges OF this should be
tackled 20 the inside OF the box so as
20 keep It in place. Six kernels OF
corn-three from each side-from ear
No. 1 should then be placed in square
no. L. the same number from car No.
2 in square No. ?, and so on until
ak kernels each have been taken
from as many ears as there are
squares on the cloth When this has
been completed the second cloth
should then be placed over the one
bearing the seed and on this the
third, the edges of which should ex
tend well over the sides OF the box
On this should be carefully spread
about two inches more Of sswdust OF
earth.
The testing box should be kept in =
room having a temperature OF from
65 to 75 degrees. and il the dller wa,
not moist when put in the box 4
should be watered. Seven or eigh
says VIII tell the story, when the goo,
9ernels will show vigorous sprouts
The upper cloth. bearing the earth o.
eawdust, should be carefully remove,
30 as not TO disturb the second clotl
covering the seed. This should thei
be removed. BY comparing the ear
with the corresponding kernels on tn
key numbered squares the worth Of
given ear for seed win be determined
Any ears the kernels from which d.
not show Eve strong examinations out
Of six should be discarded entirely
while those showing one bad kernel
out Of six should be kept by them
selves and not used at all unless there
Is decided shortage OF seed. Seed
showing weak termination is worth
less. and ears from which it is taken
should not be used. The test may be
repeated as many times as may be
necessary, when all the approved ears
should be put by themselves. shelled
and the kernels sorted as to size and
shape so as 10 give a uniform drou
with the planter. Notwithstanding the
Tact that the past season seemed "a
be one especially favorable for tbs
maturing Of seed corn. complaints ar,
roming from many quarters that tn,
seed is very uneven in gerninatin,
quality; hence It would seem wise Z
nse the testing box and take M
chances.