The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1911-04-07
GOOD SEED.

As the springtime with its sowing
and planting y again with Us il Is
well as In the years gone to take
stock OF the kind Of small grain ana
corn which is to be used in the pro-
duction OF the new crop. LIZ one does
not have plump, well filled small
grain seed Of his own raising II can be
cot at 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 few cents
a bushel will secure is more than
made up I'm the better stand and more
vigorous growth which will be OBJ
tanned. The earth bed in which this
seed IL put should not be given scrub
preparation. but should be made fine
and mellow and the seed drilled In to
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 q given kernel or
corn will terminate in a majority of
cases by cutting through the chit. or
germ. with jacbknife: but. since
the kernels on one side Of an ear
may be good and on the other bad,
the testing box method is good deal
safer There are a number of mex
pensfre ready made testers on the
market which are very convenient
ly equipped. but homemade tester
consisting of q shallow box about
2 by feet and four or FIVE inches
deep and three pieces Of muslin ex-
ceeding the dimensions of the box by
about eight inches will answer the
purpose nicely. About three inches or
sawdust or earth should be put in the
box, leveled Off and firmed down.
Over this should be spread one OF the
pieces Of muslin. previously marked or
i'm two and half inch squares and num-
bered consecutively, beginning az one
corner. The edges of this should be
tackled TO the inside of the boz SO aS
to keep II In place. Six kernels OF
corn-three from each side-from ear
No. should then be placed In square
No. I: the same number from ear No
six kernels each have been taken
from rs 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 we'll over the sides of the box
about two inches more OF sawdust or
earth
The testing box should be kept I'm
room having temperature OF from
65 70 = degrees. and if the filler was
not moist when put in the boz 10
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 10 disturb tha second cloth
covering the seed This should then
be removed. BY comparing the ears
with the corresponding kernels ON the
my 'huLADCICu tuC WOElu u
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
out Of six should be kept by them
selves and not used at all unless there
is decided shortage or 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 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 to 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 in terminating
quality: hence II would seem wise to
use the testing box and take no
chances.