The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-04-04

| QTy Out, freeze, or get 700 not alOnS
the edges. After the six kernels
from each ear have been placed in
their proper squares and the box is
filled, put cover cloth over these ker-
nels This cover cloth should be made
of good muslin like that used to put
on top Of sawdust. 1t should be about
one inch shorter each way than the
inside of the box. Soak this cover
cloth in warm water and spread it
very loosely over the kernels. "'wo
people can put it on more easily than
one without mixing the kernels. Do
not put this on dry nor stretch it
tight. After it is on, sprinkle it
thoroughly with warm water, being
careful not to put enough water on
so that it will run through the saw
dust and bottom of the box and get
on the floor.
Take a large piece of cloth, an old
gunny-sack ripped open will do,
about twice as large as the box is
inside and spread this cloth over the
box, poking it down into the corners
and along the edges. Pour about
two inches more sawdust into the box
on top of this last cloth and spread
it out evenly. Pack this sawdust
thoroughly, being careful to get it
we'll down into the corners and edges.
Fold the edges Of the large cloth
back over the sawdust.
Place the box in warm place. An
ordinary living-room is all right Any
place where the house plants are
placed is good place for the ger
mination box. Beside the kitchen
stove will do.
If it is placed beside a stove or
furnace, it should be turned around
every day so that different sides will
get the heat uniformly. Place a brick
or stick of wood under the edge of
the box towards which the crown or
outer end of the kernels point. This
will cause the stem sprouts to grow
up side by side between the cloths.
When the box is left level, the thin
sprouts try to grow up through the
cloth and curl up so that it is diff
cult to tell which are strong and
which are weak.
If the sawdust was thoroughly
soaked before putting into the box,
and the room is not especially dry,
no more sprinkling will be need
ed. If, however, the sawdust
does not begin to dry out it is well
to sprinkle it with warm water: -
Be sure not to try to read the test
until the stem sprouts of the good
kernels are two or three inches long.
This will require about one weeks
time. The proper time can be de-
termined by lifting up one corner
Of the cloth containing the sawdust.
Many make the mistake of trying to
read the test too soon. This refers
to any kind of tester.
When taking of the cloth contain
ing the sawdust, begin at one edge
and roll the cloth and sawdust un in
a roll. Be very careful not to roll
up the cover cloth which was laid
c"or the kernels. Roll one edge of
the cloth containing the sawdust past
,..= middle, then roll back little
ways and begin rolling at the op-
posite side. When the two rolls are
'~~o+her in the middle of the box,
lift the cloth containing the sawdust
,ut it out of the way. Re-
move the cover cloth very carefully
so as not to get the kernels out Of
their proper squares. Be sure to use
this cover cloth as it prevents much
trouble and annoyance in getting the
kernels mixed up.
If one or more kernels from any
ear fail to grow, discard that ear for
planting. If either the root or stem
sprout from the kernels in any ear
fail, throw out the ear; also if red
dish or brownish colored mould has
caused the sprouts from all parts of
the ear to shrivel up after they have
come out, discard that ear, as this
disease will also affect the sprouts in
the ground and cause trouble.
When reading the test, do not pick
up bad ear from the row and throw
it away as soon as found, but draw
it back a few inches, leaving it in
place so that the ears will not get
mixed before the test is all read. Be
sure to go over the box and ears a
second time, reading the test care
fully, checking over the first reading.
so as to make sure that no errors
have been made. This is very i'm
portant, as all of US are liable to
make mistakes.
AS soon as the dead, weak and
mouldy ears are. taken out of the row