Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1914-09-25
AUTurlN The BEST TIME TO
SELECT SEED CORN.


Autumn is the beat time to prepare
for a profitable corn crop the follow
ing season. AT this time the seed is
most abundant, and the very best
can bs obtained before il has in any
way reduced its vitality. Many lei
the opportunity past, expecting toI
purchase their seed corn in the spring
nut the departments sp scialisl T.,
charge Of corn Investigations advises
that the autumn is the best time 70
select seed.
The best place for the farmer to
,btain seed corn is from fields 90 his
,wn farm, or il bis neighborhood
that were planted with variety
which has generally proved most sue
,essful in that locality. Of course,
4 community has an experienced
and honest corn breeder on whom il
nay rely, the seed corn may be oh
aimed from hum.
BY far too many consider seed
rood simply because twill grow. To
he first class, 3 ed must be-
1. Well adapted to the seasonal
conditions here it is to be planted.
2. Grown on productive plants OF
a productive variety
3. Well matured, and preserved
from ripening time til planting
lime 10 a manner that will retain its
full yigor.
The importance Of the three ie-
quirements just enumerated has been
demonstrated experimentally by the
departments Office Of Corn Investi-
cations.
AT corn ripening time drop all
,ther business and select al sbup-
lance of seed corn. The process is
TOO important to be conducted Incl
leItally while husking. When Sc
Letting seed corn give the process
your entire attention. Get the very
best that is 70 had aud preserve it
veil, and your increased yields will
return you more profit than any other
york you can do on yonr farm.
The only proper way t. select
iced corn is from the stalks standing
where they grew as soon as ripe and
before the first hard freeze.
As soon as the crop Iipens 90
through the field with seed-picking
rags aud husk the ears from ih,
talks that have produced the most
eorn without having any special ad
vantages, such as space, moisture, or
fertility. Avoid the large ears on
stalks standing singIy with an unusual
amount Of space around thum. Pre-
terence should be given the pianis
that have produced IN ,st heavily in
competition -ith tull stand Of less
productive plants.
In all localities the inherent ten
lency Of the plant to produce heavi
" Of sound, dry shelIed corns is oft
most importance.
Late-maturing plants with ears
which are heavy because Of an ex-
eessive amount Of sap should be ig-
nored. Sappiness greatly increases
the weight and is likely to destroy
the quality. In many sections this
fact Is not sufficiently appreciated
10 the Central aud Southern States
Ill other things beins equal, short,
thick stalks are preferable. Short
stalks are not so easily blown down
Ind permit thicker planting. Thick
talks aie not so easily broken down
and in general are more productive
than slender ones.
The tendency for corn to produce
suckers is hereditary. Other thi y
being equal, seed should be taken
from stalks that have no suckers.
This sane day seed corn is gather
ed the husked ears should be put in
a dry place where there is tree cir
edlation Of air, aud placed in such
manner that the ears do not touch
zach other. Good seed is often rni !
ed because it is thought dry enough
when gathered and the precauuon
mentioned is considered unnecessary.
Many farmers believe that their au-
tamns are so dry that such care is
,uperhuJus. Seed corn IA every 10
,,allty gathered at ripsm.g time viii
,e benefited by drying as suggested.
II left in the hu-k long after ripen-
ing, it may sproul ur mil lew during
warm, wet waatt er or become iufest-
I'd with weevis.
I . vitality Of seed is often re-
.luced by leaving i, in a sack or III a
,,ile for even a day after gathering.
During warm weather, with some
moisture in the .obs and kernels, the
ears heat Or mildew in remarkably
short time.
The Department of Agriculture
has bullstin that gives in delail tn
, est manner of ueatm MT for com
after il is gathered. The bulletin
also describes how seed corn should
be stored during the winter and iesIs
Of the termination tf seed corn
rhe bulletin may be bad free by tn, s.
who request Far ners' Bulletin No
Ills, on Seed Corn, from the depat t
ment's Division Of Publications,
Washington d. G.