The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-10-13
Secci Seed Corn
County Agent kiger Giye> Some
Timely Advice About This
Important Matter

important Matter
The time is fast approaching
when we will again selec, our seec
corn for 1917. The supply Of ole
corn IN the country is very limited
| However, there are many who will
have sufficient seed corn to meet
their demand next season. Last
year the percentage was about the
same but the opportunity to pick
seed corn was very small compared
to this year. Last year there were
very few fields from which seed
corn was taken before September
10th the time we had our heavy
frost. This year the corn was as
far advanced the lst of September
as it was last year Sept. 90. The
fields Of corn that were planted re-
asonably early and escaped the
damage done by the excessive wet
weather are mature sufficiently now
for seed. We find that these fields
are quite generally scattered about
over the country there being few
farmers who don't have a few acres
Of corn from which they can pick
their next years seed. Last year,
owing to the scarcity of seed corn,
about 600 bu. Of corn was picked
the last Of October, stored in one
of the buildings Of the fair grounds.
Two fires were kept going until
the 10th of January, when the corn
was sufficiently dried to withstand
the frost. The corn was tested in
February. shelled in March and
sold to those needing seed corn at
cost-S3 per bu. This seed corn
was picked from three fields in
Windsor township. 1t is not going
to be necessary to repeat this again
this year. We did it for several
reasons: 1s,-because of the
scarcity Of seed corn; 2nd-to re-
duce the cost; 3rd-to supply the
demand with home grown seed and
thus eliminate the danger of get
ting southern grown seed and get
nothing but green fodder which
contains about 85 per cent water.
We wish to impress upon those who
are interested in growing good corn
not to forget to pick enough seed
corn to meet with their needs mex.
spring. Then pick enough more SO
that you" viii nave enough more to
supply at least one of your neigh
bors. In this way you will have to
carry enough corn to meet the 1918
demand providing you do not get
seed next fall. 1t will take about
Is ears to plant an acre. You
should allow small percentage for
corn that fails to germ innate. Only
ears that are we'll matured should
be selected. Select ears from
strong vigorous stalks having broad
leaves and well developed brace
roots, and with the ear the right
height on the stalk, medium sized
ears, well formed, with plump deep
kernels with good tips and butts
select ears with tips downward, and
avoid those with long shanks.
Corn when first picked will con-
tain large amount of moisture.
Care should be taken not to pile
the corn because it will mould and
injure the germ. 1t should be
hung in places where there is a
free circulation of air to avoid the
mould and cause rapid evapora-
tion Of moisture. 1t would be a
good idea to keep a little heat in
the beilding after it gets cooler 80
as to hasten the drying before the
cold weather comes on. If the corn
is thoroughly dried before the cold
weather, there is no danger of in
jury to the germ as it will stand
much cold. It is known fact
that we may increase the yield of
corn from 4 10 bu, per acre by
the proper selection and care Of
seed. H. E. kiger, Co. Ayri. Agt