The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-10-13

produced most heavily in competi-
| ton with a full stand of less produc-
tive plants. In all localities the in
herent tendency of the plant to pro-
duce heavily of sound, dry. shelled
corn is of most Importance. Late
maturing plants with ears which are
heavy because of an excessive amount
of sap should be ignored. Sappiness
greatly increases the weight and is
likely to destroy the quality. In the
Central and Southern States, all 9th
er things being equal, short thick
stalks are preferable. Short stalks
are not so easily blown down and
permit thicker planting. Thick
stalks are not so easily broken down,
and in general are more productive
than slender ones. The tendency for
corn to produce suckers is hereditary
Other things being equal, seed should
be taken from stalks that have no
suckers.
The same day seed corn is gather
ed the husked ears should be put in
a dry place where there is
free circulation of air and placed in
such a manner that the ears do not
touch each other This is the only
safe procedure. Good seed is re
peatedly ruined because it is thought
to be already dry enough when gath
cred and that the precaution men
toned above is unnecessary. Many
farmers believe that their autumns
are so dry that such care is superfiu-
Gus. Seed corn in every locality
gathered at ripening time will be
benefited by drying as suggested If
left in the husk long after ripening
il may sprout or mildew during
warm wet weather or become infest-
ed with weevils. The vitality of
seed is often reduced by leaving it
in sack or in pile for even day
after gathering. During warm wealth
er, with some moisture in the cobs
and kernels. the ears heat or mil
dew in a remarkably short time.
The best possibly treatment imme-
diately after gathering is to string
the ears. Ordinarily the best place
10 hang strings of ears is in an open
shed or loft. Wire racks are more
convenient. and in the end cheaper.
than binder Irvine. Such racks may
be made from electrically welded
lawn fencing. The cutting of the
fencing into seed-corn racks is done
without any waste.
Only during unusually damp
weather at gathering time will
fire be necessary. If heat is EN-
Dloyed in a poorly ventilated room it
will do the seed ears more injury
han good. Ii used. the fire should
Ie slow. long continued, and situat-
ed below the seed ears, with good
ventilation above them.
After hanging in the shed or ly-
ng on the racks for two months the
seed ears should be as dry as bone
and contain less than 10 per cent of
moisture. They can remain where
they dried or be stored in mouse
proof barrels, boxes. or crates dur
ing the winter, but in either case
they must not be exposed to damp
atmosphere, for they will absorb mois
ture and be injured Some farmers
place the thoroughly dried seed ears
in the center of wheat bin and fill
the bin with loose dry wheat.
In localities where weevils and
/ grain moths injure stored grain, the
/ thoroughly dry seed ears shouldG be
stored in very tight mouse-proof re-
ceptacles with pound of moth balls
or naphtalene inclosed for each bush
ell of corn. This quantity tightly in
closed with corn will prevent dam
age from these insects and will not
| injure the seed. If at any time signs
of weevils or grain moths show on
the corn, it should be inclosed with
carbon bisulphid in practically air
tight rooms, bins, boxes, or barrels
| for AS hours. The bisulphid should
I be placed in shallow dishes or pans
on top of the seed. One-half pint
! is sufficient for box or barrel hold
ing 10 bushels or less One pound
is sufficient for a room or bin 10
feet each way. After fumigating the
ears must be thoroughly aired. taxi
ing care that no fire is present when
the fumigating box is opened.--U, s.