Morris tribune., 1913-09-26
CARE OF SEED CORN.
F. D. Hawk Reviews Methods
of Storing to Prevent Damage

are many who have neglected picking
their seed corn as they have done in
previous years, we wish to warn the
ones who have been prompt in select
ing their seed of few of the dangers
yet facing them and to describe ways
of preventing these dangers maturing
into fatalities.
There is many practically good
seed ear at the time of picking and
selection that is entirely worthless at
the time of planting the following
spring.
The first days, in fact the first
few weeks after seed corn is picked
is the most critical time. for these
early picked seed ears. Early picked
seed corn contains an excess of mois-
tuFe, much more than does those ears
that are. left in the field. Ii is neces-
saTy. then, that this high moisture
content be reduced rapidly to the
normal dryness of good seed corn.
When green corn is first pikced.
heat is all that is necessary to make
the kernel start growth. and as the
result of heat the corn starts to germ
mate, throwing out sprouts which
make the corn worthless for seed pur-
poses. Seed corn selected early and
left in sack or pile does that very
thing. due to the fact that being in
close quarters, heat accumulates and
growth becomes possible. Seed corn,
when first picked, must have plenty
of fresh air to dry out the ears and at.
the same time must not be allowed
to stand out during freezing weather.
With the excess of moisture at this
time freezing will destroy the vitality
of the seed, making il as worthless as
too warm sprUuted corn.
An excellent place for the control
of temperature in the storage of seed
corn is a we'll ventilated room or at
tic. During the warm days the win
dows may be left open, causing free
circulation of air about the corn.
When the cold days come the windows
may be closed. By the time the cold
weather sets in the corn should be
sufficiently dry as to make the danger
of freezing much less than when, seed
corn is first picked. Where the days
are very changeable it is unwise to
take any chances with open windows
and freezing conditions.
Il is folly for one to go to the
trouble of picking good seed corn and
then let it become damaged in storing
when the necessary provisions for sue.
cessful curing are so easily made.
Some farmers make it q practice
to gather seed corn early but fail to
sense the necessity Of taking immedi-
ate care of the selected ears.
There are many ways of securing
free circulation of air around the
corn: 1st, the double string method.
End, seed corn rack, 3rd. seed corn
tree, 4th, spikes or nails in wall,
5th. commerce.! hangers.
The double string method is prob
ably the more common and one of the
best ways Of hanging up seed corn.
To string corn by this method is a
very simple task and very efficient
one. A string twelve or fourteen
feet long is used with the two ends
tied together. The corn is thsr
dropped to the floor in a double looE
form, making swing for the point
and but tends of each ear. After the
first ear is laid in the loop, all that
is necessary for the second is to pass
the string through the loop of the
opposite hand. This forms cross il
the strings at both the tip and but
ends of the ear, binding the first cal
into place. The second ear is ther
placed in the cross and the hand.
drawn apart. forming the second crisl
cross of the strings. This operation
| is continued until the string is filled
to the top with ears of corn. having
the loop around the point and butt o.
each ear in the string. This strins
of corn is now ready to be hung on ,
nail driven in joist or rafter of tn,
F seed corn room.
The second method. the seed corr
) rack. is very satisfactory method
] and can rapidly be constructed. Thi
) method involves the use Of 2x4s
pine. or tamarack, as verticle posts
On these posts are placed Stats abou
three or four inches apart. thus max
ing shelves on which the corn NAV b.
placed. A good lath nailed on eac
5 side of the 2x4 edgewise will answe
I the purpose very we'll. On this racI
corn may be placed in rows. thus civ
, ing the air free circulation and allow
ing the corn to dry out rapidly.
Third, the seed corn tree offers
: very good method Of atorinO GOOD