Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-08-21

rural school in the RIGS corn belt OF
the stale. the slogan, Better Corn.
Better Men," wos adopted. The
classes in agriculture were given
given every opportunity to study the
corn in detail with a view to using
such knowledge first hand. Prep
araton OF this study was made by
a careful consideration Of the place
Of corn in the list Of the world food
producers
The students brought in samples
OF the best ears Of corn from their
fathers cribs. These samples were
arranged in exhibits and each ex-
hibit labeled. Then the judTing be-
gan. Government methods were em-
ployed throughout the work, and
each student was required to make
Ia written report showing the result
of his Investigation. The pupils
grade in English was based upon the
ability shown IN the report, thereby
making practical use of the student's
English in writing.
Among the features considered in
the judging Of this corn may be men
toned the size and shape of the
ear, the per cent of weight OF corn
to the ear, size and shape of the
kernels, the color of the cob and the
kernels. straightness of the rows on
the cob, but and tip of the ear, and
the terminating strength of the ker-
nels. The latter point is the key
uote in the Improvement of corn and
may well be considered in length
There are many kinds of testers.
Among them, the so-called rag doll
type of seed tester, to be set to corn.
The country lad making this test
simply marked Off two inches square
on a piece of cotton flannel, placed
five kernels from each seed ear in
every square, folded the sides over
sprinkled lightly with rain water and
rolled up with spong well moist
doll very much.
ened. The roll resembles a rag doll
very much. This type of tester is
good but not generally desirable be-
cause the moisture is not evenly dis
tributed to all the kernels in the
process OF testing.
The country girls made the sand
box type testers and set the same to
kernels from seventy-five seed ears.
This tester is simply box contain
ing about two inches OF mcistened
sand on top, on which is laid can
vas marked off into squares. After
it has been set to corn the top Of
the box is filled with pad of sand
about two inches deep, we'll moisten
ed This type of a tester is one Of
the best now in use.
But the best and most practical
method of testing the terminating
powers Of seed corn is the sand tray
tester. 1t is simply a shallow box
ruled off into squares by means of
a cord stretched across the box in
two directions. each of the squares
being numbered by index coordinate
figures as sown on the sides of the
Nox Thistester is recommended by
the Department. of Agriculture al
Washington and is the best because
Utmost nearly approaches natures
method of testing the seed for ger
mination.
The students enter into this work
with a bit of indifference as there
is yet very strong prejudice against
book farming in the rural districts
however. at the end of the study, ev-
cry student was corn enthusiast,-
and it takes corn enthusiasts to be
corn growers in this part
of the country.
This is but one Of the many tests
that were made with corn in this
rural district, and corn was only one
of the agricultural topics consider
ed in the years study. But while
important in this matter such
study is of greater value, because it
is one of the surest means of making
farmers out of the farm boys, in
stead of making street loafers out of
them. And this is a sure way to
educate the country children out of a
condition o dependence TO life of
boppfnnoc a To ~, and Donoh