The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-01-27

section Of the country lives and pros.
pers largely on the production OF its
land, and follow the advice of agricul-
tural scientists who can tell our peo'
pie how to escape heavy loss. This
advice will work no hardship and no
expense if followed. II will require
a little careful work and sharp watch.
ing at a season of the year when the
farmer is not overwhelmed with labor.
Nineteen fifteen was a bad year for
corn A cold, wet season retarded
the growth of the grain. The crop
in many parts Of the corn belt was
immature, il contains an excessive
amount OF water and is unfit for seed.
The scarcity OF seed corn is really
the most serious in many years.
You farmers may say you are going
to use seed from your 1914 crop Don't
trust 1t. The grain may have been
damaged by the frost during the hard
freezes of last year. Don't trust
it-test it, The high price Of corn,
too. on account of the war has near.
ly exhausted the 1914 crop and this
source of supply then is not reliable.
Missing Hills, Weak Stalks.
There are about 500 kernels on the
average ear OF corn, One poor seed
nels. If these are planted 1t means
missing hills and weak stalks produc-
ing little or nothing. According to
reports just received, every indication
points to very serious trouble with
seed corn, especially in sections lying
north of central Illinois and in North
Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota Michi
gan and Iowa.
This community ought to get busy
right now, for the prosperity Of our
community our merchants, our bank
ers our builders, our workors-de-
ponds on the prosperity OF the farmers
hereabouts We ought TO start a seed
corn campaign The county superin
tendent of schools can reach the farm.
ers through the rural sChooteachers,
who in turn will see that the children
carry the message home. You bank
ers, merchants and implement dealers
who trade directly with the farmers
ought TO write personal letters urging
them 70 20 into this matter scientific
ally In short, all Of us ought TO mo
bilize our forces, just az our nation
would have 10 mobilize all its re.
sources In case of war.
at
this spring. 1t means too much to all
Of us. Poor seed means not only
a poor stand and a portion of the
field idle. but that you must cultivate
missing hills. onestalk hills and poor,
worthless stalks. and receive nothing
in return.
Don't Work for Nothing.
Thousands OF people every year
work more than a third of every day
on ground that produces nothing. DO
not depend for seed on the occasional
good ears selected during the husk-
ing period. The corn will be injured
by freezing before It iB huskcd or be
fore IT has had tins TO become dry
after husking
Select the best ears If YOU have
not already done SO, and string them
on binder twine and hang up.
DO not store seed corn In barrels or
boxes. 1t will gather moisture" and
mold or freeze DO not store over the
stable. DO not put immature or fresh
~ gathered seed corn in warm room.
on the floor. or in piles 1t will either
gprout. mold, or both, 1t should be
hung up AT once, and the windows
opened TO allow the freest circulation
OF air. DO not depend on the crib
for seed corn.
One day devoted TO the seed corn
at the proper time, may be worth
more than an entire month OF hard
work next summer put on poor stand
of corn.
The attic Is a good place TO hang VI
the seed corn There should be a cir
oulation OF air through the room
space three by eight feet will hold 20t
strings OF corn. twelve TO fifteen ears
20 each string, or about enough L
plant 200 acres. Threefourths OF THU