The Washburn leader., 1913-03-21
This Is The Week
To Test Seed Grain
Work is Under Auspices Of Better
Farming Association and Will
Bring Results

IoAAlu6 fAoSVS1dtlVA onV VAA
Bring Results
This is seed testing week in the work
of the North Dakota Better Farming
association and in this work wherever
the association is at work over the
state great deal of attention 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 pur-
poses was not of the best. The teach
ers of the different schools in the dist
riots covered by the better farming
associations are all lending aid to the
work, and the following letter has been
sent out to the teachers and others:
'In many counties the question of
good seed this year is an important one.
Much seed grain. especially grains
which were in the shock during the
rainy weather, has suffered detriora-
ton. We believe it advisable to test
all seed grain before sowing, thus pre-
venting 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 1922 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 farm
ers of your district and will have inter-
ested the farm boys and girls in one of
their home problems.
''The 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?''
In addition to the above there is a
circular letter accompanying the above
and it is in the form of instructions
from the association as to the best
needs of testing. It is as follows:
Farm seeds to be sown this year
should be tested for termination before
planting. This may save a serious 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 conditions of
heat, air and moisture for termination.
Large seeds germinate best between
folds of cloth folded over several times.
Smaller seeds germinate best between
sheets of blotting paper, and very small
seeds should be placed on top of moist
blotting paper. The large seeds do not
get sufficient moisture between or on
top of blotting paper, consequently
must be germinated by some method
which will give q larger supply of mois-
ture. Care must be taken in germinat-
ing smaller seeds so that the
moisture is not too great. Whether
blotters or cloths are used for germin-
alton, they should be wet, not dripping.
The following table shows the best me-
thod of termination:
Seeds to be germinated between folds
of moist Canton 'ilannel- Corn, peas,
beans, pumpkin.
Seeds to be germinated on top of
blotting paper Timothy, flax, red top.
Seeds to be germinated between folds
of moist blotting paper-Wheat, rye,
barley, raper, millet, oats. alfalfa. red
clover.
The seed should represent an average
sample Of the lot that is to be grown.
Count out 100 seeds just as they run
and place between the folds Of moist
cloths or blotting paper, depending on
kind Of seeds used. With smaller vari-
eties, use 200 seeds. After the seeds
are in place, put the cloths or blotters
into an ordinary dinner plate upside
down over the one containing 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 tempersture. 6
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