The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-04-08
SEED CORN TEST A
HELP TO FARMERS
Timely Bulletins Are Being
Distributed By Fl. L.
Smith.

Timely bulletins instructing the
farmers OF Marion county how to Sc
lect n test eed corn SO thai it will
be sure to grow are being mailed to
hundreds of farmers and others in
terested in agriculture by County Ag-
ricultural Agent II. L. Smith. A copy
of the instructions follows:
The testing of seed corr is one of
the most important things to be i'm
pressed upon West Virginia farmers.
BY testing seed corn it is possible
to have an So per cent stand, allow
ing 10 per cent to be destroyed by in
sects, animals and birds. An acre of
corn planted three and one-half feet
each way, two stalks in a hill, IS per
cent stand, gives $3.50 stalks. A six
ounce ear on each stalk will give 80
bushels per acre, which. is. six bush
els above h present average yield.
With $4,000 acres in corn, West Vir-
ginia would have all increase OF O.
4 100000 above the present average
value of the corn crop.
I'm 1914. PIP Club boys tested their
corn n their average was 6S.S bush
els. This is AS bushels increase over
1913.
Prepare a testing box about foul
inches deep and large enough to test
twice as many ears as you will need
to plant your acre. This may be
made by securing a box at a nearby
store II asking the store-keeper to
give You a set of the pasteboard par
titions used in packing eggs in cases.
Place these in hi box to form the
squares in which to plant the grains.
Number the rows of squares length
wise OF the box and letter the rows
crosswise. Fill the tester with sand.
taCnInnf aIN,,f 49, ~,u&~ -lo-+a,A
ed and provide incl square c~ardboards
to be fastened. to the butt end of each
ear, by pushing a nail through into
the pith of the cob. Remove five
grains from each ear. turning the ear
when removing the grains so that the
different sides will be represented.
Place the grains in n of the squares
and letter h cardboard on the end
OF the ear A6 or BIO, according to
the crossing Of the. lettered and nun.
bered rows in which you place the
grains. Continue until you have all
the ear to be tested represented in
the tester and each cardboard mark
ed so o can tell which ear belongs
to any square in the box.
"Treat every grain in exactly the
same way. : The grains must be push
ed point downward into the sand or
covered with a piece of cloth. Soak
thoroughly and place in a fairly warm
room where the temperature will not
drop below so degrees.
after ten days have passed, dis
card any a that corresponds to a
square in YOU box not having five
strong sprouts in it. Place the ears
that have proven good where they
will be safe from mice and weevil.
TEST the o you have at hand.
Do not wait for us to send you some
to test. We test the corn sent to
club members"
In order to&enable Mr.. smith to
keep a record OF. what work is being
done under the advice and direction
of his department. each farmer is fur
nished with a blank which he Is re-
quested to I'LL u and mail to Mr..
Smith. A copy OF this blank follows:
County.
"Did you compare the size of a six
ounce a with that OF a pound ear?
For how many years have you
tested corn in your home before this?
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