The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-03-17
THIS IS
WEEK TO
TEST SEEDS
Teachers Throughout State
Leading Aid
Work Is Uader Auspices Of
Better Farming Association
Letter Of Instruction In Testing
Is Sent 0ut

This is seed testing week in the
work Of the North Dakota Better
Farming association and In this work
over the state great deal of atten-
ton is paid to this very important
branch of the business of farming.
1t is doubly important this year, ac-
cording to Secretary Cooper of the as
sociation, by reason of the fact that
last seasons corn crop for seeding
purposes was not of the best. The
teachers Of the different schools in the
districts covered by the better farm
ing association are all lending aid to
the work, and the following letter has
been sent out to the teachers and
others:
Letter to Teachers.
I'm many counties the question of
good seed this year is an important
one. Much seed grain, especially
grains which were in the shock dur
deterioration. We believe it advisable
to test all seed grain before sowing,
thus preventing possible losses.
"The farm boy and girl may test the
seed to be sown on their farm. There
fore we request you to set aside the
week of March 1929 as seed testing
week. Require your pupils as a part
of the school work to make tests of all
grain to be sown. Allow them to elect
a secretary who will transmit the re-
suits to the county superintendent.
Encourage and instruct them in meth
DDS of seed testing. In this way you
may be OF material service to the
farmers of your district and will have
interested the farm boys and girls in
sNP HATS Yars1h a Is
"rhe matter is an important one. 1t
: should be brought to the attention of
all interested Immediately. Instruc-
! tions as to method of testing accom-
pany this letter. May we count upon
your co-operation?'
Seed Testing.
In addition to the above there is a
circular letter accompanying the
above and il is in the form of instruc-
tions from the association as to the
best modes of testing. 1t is as follows:
Farm seeds to be sown this year
should be tested for termination be-
fore planting, This may save seri-
Gus loss. A termination test is easily
made by using moist blotting paper or
cloth in an ordinary dinner plate or
pie plate. The seed needs proper con-
ditions Of heat, air and moisture for
termination. Large seeds germinate
best between folds of cloth folded over
several times. Smaller seeds germin-
ate best between sheets of moist blot
ting paper, and very small seeds
should be placed on top of moist blot
ting paper The large seeds do not
get sufficient moisture between or on
top OF the blotting paper, consequently
must be terminated by some method
which will give a larger supply of
moisture. Care must be taken in ger
minating smaller seeds so that the
moisture is not too great Whether
blotters or cloths are used for germin-
alton, they should be wet not drip
ping. The following table shows the
best method of termination:
Seeds to be terminated between
folds Of moist Canton hannel-Corn.
peas. beans, pumpkin.
Seeds to be terminated on top of
blotting paper-Timothy, fax, red top.
Seeds to be germinated between
folrs of moist plotting paper-Wh heat,
rye, barley, rapers millet. oats, alfalfa.
red clover.
Making the Test.
The seed should represent an aver
age sample of the lot that is to be
sown. Count out 100 seeds just as
the run and place between the folds
of moist cloth or blotting paper, de-
lending on kind of seed used. With
smaller varieties, use 200 seeds, After
the seeds are in place, put the cloths
or blotters into an ordinary dinner
plate upside down over the one con-
tanning the seed to prevent rapid
evaporation. Allow corners of blotters
or cloth to hang over the side of the
plate so that the seed may get air.
Keep the plates at an ordinary living
room temperature, SO to 20 degrees,
adding q little water whenever neces-
sary to keep damp. The tests should
be completed within a week. Examine
the seed. count the number of strong,
vigorous sprouts, and tabulate results.