The record., 1911-06-15
GOOD SEED.

AS the sprlngtlme with its sowing
and planting * again with US 1t is
well rs I'm the years gone 10 take
stock of the kind of small grain and
corn which Is 90 be used I'm the pro-
duction of the new crop. If one does
not have plump. well filed small
grain seed OF his own raising it can be
got at reasonable price from neigh
bor or scotsman. Care should be
taken that such seed Is well cleaned
and free from nOXious weed seeds.
The extra quality which n few cents
a hushel will secure IS more than
made up I'm the better stand and more
vigorous growth which viii he oh
tanned. The earth bed i'm which this
seed Is put should not he given scrub
preparation, but should be made fine
and mellow and the seed drilled I'm To
an even depth In the case Of the
seed corn q careful individual car test
should be made. A farmer Of good
sense and eyesight who has had cx-
periencc in the matter can without
doubt tell whether a given kernel OF
corn viii germinate I'm n majority OF
cases hy cutting through the chit, or
germ. with n jackknlfe; hut. since
the kernels on one side OF an ear
may be good and on the other bad
the testing box method is n good deal
safer. There are number OF mex
pensive ready made testers on the
market which are very convenient
ly equipped. but n homemade tester
consisting OF q shallow box about
. by feet and four or five inches
deep and three pieces of muslin ex-
cceding 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, lcvC'cd sa aud lrmed down.
Over tbs should 0e Hie.dd oiIe OF the
pieces OF muslin. prev !ously marked OF
In two and half inch squares and NUM-.
bered consecutlvely. beginning at one
corner. The edges of this should be
tackled 10 the inside OF the box so as
10 keen It in place. Six kernels Of
corn-three from each side-from ear
No. / should then he placed I'm square
No. T. the same number from ear No
? In square No. ., and so or until
six kernels each have been taken
from as many ears rs there are
squares on the cloth. When this has
been completed the second cloth
should then he placed over the one
bearing the seed and on this the
third, the edges OF which should ex-
tend we'll over the sides OF the box.
On this should be carefully spread
about two inches more OF sawdust or
earth.
The testing box should be kept in a
room having n temperature Of from
65 TO - degrees. and n the filler was
not moist when put I'm the box II
should be watered Seven or eight
days will tell the story. when the good
kernels Will show vigorous sprouts
The upper cloth, bearing the earth or
sawdust should be carefully removed
so as not to disturb the second cloth
covering the seed. This should then
be removed. BY comparing the ears
with the corresponding kernels on the
key numbered squares the worth OF
given ear for seed will be determined
Any ears the kernels from which do
not show five strong examinations out
of six should be discarded entirely,
while those showing one bad kernel
ont 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 II Is taken
should not be used The test may be
repeated as many times rs 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 drop
with the planter. Notwithstanding the
fact that the past season seemed to
be one especially favorable for the
maturing of seed corn. complaints are
coming from many quarters that the
seed is very uneven I'm terminating
quality; hence it would seem wise 20
use the testing box and take no
chances.