The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1913-03-21

they may be damaged by too cold
weather, when not thoroughly dry,
causing the kernels to shrivel and de-
greatly in vitality. It is al
ways advisable to test all kinds Of
farm seeds, eve though they were
grown at home and good care taken
of them. Lustre is another splendid
Indicator Of vitality; old and dead
seeds always have a dull appearance.
Other conditions being equal, always
select as plump seed as possible. The
reason for this Is Manifest plant
in its early stage Of growth must live
on plant food stored up in the seed.
and necessarily a plump seed contains
more food, allowing a more vigorous
growth. The weight of a given
amount of seed is usually a good in.
dlcator of its ~vitality-the heavier the
seed the more desirable it is. Always
beware Of diseased grain. being care
full to avoid especially the sinking
smut or any seed that is mouldy or
has a scabby outside.
In speaking Of purity we refer to
t%rueness to name and freedom from
weed seed and inert matter. Some
seeds always contain weak seed. par.
t1cularly is this true of small kids
such as timothy and clover. In Dur.
chasing these it is simply a matter
OF choosing the, best of the evils Avoid
introducing new kinds Of weeds onto
your place. Either raise your W
seed or buy from a nearby neighbor
when possible. Before making a pur
chase be sure you are buying from q
reliable dealer, one whom you are
certain will give you the grade and
variety that you pay for.
Another point to be considered In
buying seed is its breeding, not mean
ing necessarily that 1t should have
a pedigree, but that it should have
been improved through selection.
About the only practical and cheap
way to do this is for the farmer to
raise his own seed. Take fer exam.
NJ corn; buy tome extra goou seed
:rom a reliable corn grower near bv.
HlaDt perhaps al acre and from this
start, select enough seed for the whole
crop the following year. While the
; ear Is still on the stalk 20 over the
|; acre and pick out the desirable stalks.
= The following year select enough ex-
= ira fine seed corn grown on this one
Z acre to plant another similar acre to
1t. IN this way a few years Of selec-
, tion will result In a fine type Of corn
and good breeding, and an increased
yearly yield. With the wheat crop OF
y any small cereals the above method
d can be practiccd by varying the pro
= cedure to suit the conditions.
Always use home grown seed wher
possible, because it is adapted to the
u SOIL and climate, is usually freer frcr
Y weed seeds,and you know what vol
are planting. If not possible to gel
d seed near home always be sure to gei
u u from nearly the same latitude OF
q preferably farther north, never from
y farther south. Any crop tends Il
ADAPT itself to the conditions under
10 when 1T is grown, consequently
crop grown from seed purchased II
y, a warmer climate will not have tim,
D. TO mature. It Is very important tina
IS corn be adapted to the climate. bu
re wheat and oats are able to grow unde,
n nearly any conditions. In about al
is cases, unless you are absolutely sur,
a that you can purchase good seed tina
n Will suit your conditions, select you
own seed.
IS TO become an expert judge of seed
ID and be able readily to discover adm
Id terations requires a large amount O
study and a great deal more practice
a The field of work is not open TO tn.
average farmer, but every raiser o
farm crops can give his attention f.
seed selection and termination. B,
Of paying attention to the points mer
TONED above anyone should be abb
TO tell a good from a bad sample o
~ iced. Always buy frst-clase seeds an,
- the final result will be an increas
OF perhaps a third in the crops owe
the old method.