Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-09-16
TIMELY ADVICE FROM
STATES EXPERTS ON
SEED CORN PROBLEM
Vigorous Seed Will Withstand
Many Assaults-Time to
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Bookings. S. D.. Sept. 10.-if n one
plants dead seed corn in South Dakota
next spring. he can disc up the ground
and plant it over again. One may even
eventually secure a good stand that
way. But time would be lost. 1t k
something more than merely a good
stand to insure a good crop-lf II dlo
not one might plant corn in late June.
Seed corn of strong vitality is likely
to Withstand more or less
conditions. Witness last spring. SEED
OF good vitality was planted In certain
fields. The cold rains came and peat
upon the young corn, then came a
blackening frost about June 8. AS II
that We're not enough, IT hailed June ..
There was not enough corn left above
ground to look sick.
But this corr Of good vitality had
roots underground and, within three
days after the hail, the green leaves
were pushing up again. They were
worth more than replanted corn.
At one time the writer planted in
some missing hills in a certain fiela.
These hills were marked to secure their
yield in comparison with hills that
came from the first planting. The re-
planted ones did not make ears. Inc
corn yield came from the original plant
ing.
OF course this is not saying that n
must not plant in" missing hills--they
do make some fodder. But replanting
is more or less of a calamity at best.
Plant vigorous seed next spring. 1t
Will stand many more chances of grow
Ing than weak seed, II conditions arc
unfavorable.
Begin now. Wherever an ear Of corn
glazes over before frost, pick 1t for
seed. 1t is the blood of which crops
are made.-By A. N. Hume, agronomist
and superintendent of substations.
With but little doubt, the supply Of
good seed corn will be short next spring
and that may mean a good stiff price.
Last spring we saw first class seed
corn III eastern South Dakota remain
unsold for the lack of buyers. This was
a very unusual condition, because tho
normal seed corn situation for many
years has been n of shortage OF sup
prices.
unless the season ts unusually long
there will be but little good seed corn
produced, and it will require additional
care to find what there is. The follow
Ing practical method of seed corn Sc
the South Dakota experiment station
each season.
About September 10 the hunt is be-
gun. A grain sack may be very easily
adjusted to carry. slung over ones
shoulder. and this method is generally
used, though, at times, baskets or
buckets are substituted. The first care
is to find sound corn. Next the corn
plant or stalk is observed. A sturdy
stalk. with the ear borne in a hanging
position. about three feet from the
shank of the ear to the ground, is
wanted; ears found on such stalks are
The sacks Of selected seed are taken
to the seed room. there to be examined
again for straight rows of even kerr
nels, good shape and standard size and
color. n ears that are selected are
then hung up to dry so that they do
not touch one another, thus permitting
ar 70 on all sides. This meth
Cd is thoroughly practical. and requires
comparatively little time.-By Manley
Champlin. assistant agronomist, In
charge of field experiments.