West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-02-17
Especially Necessary This Year to
Determine Viability of Seed IN
Advance of the Planting Season
Better for Each Farmer to
Make His Own Test

an absolute necessity this year IN
many sections. In number OF dis
triots the last corn crop from which
seed for tho coming planting will be
taken was late in maturing or so moist
when harvested as to call for special
precautions. A high moisture content
makes seed corn particularly Buscep-
uble to damage from freezing or from
heating. Farmers I'm the sectlons
where corn failed TO ripen normally
who do not test their seed carly
enough to be able to replace their own
bad seed with good seed secured from
other sources will be taking an NY
necessary risk. II is also especially
important for holders OF seed In such
districts TO take unusual care during
tho remainder OF the winter to pro-
tect II from freezing.
| While complete testing for germina-
ton should take place shortly before
tho seed is planted. the specialists OF
the department believe that II will bo
simple forehandedness for farmers
who have any reason to be doubtful
about the viablllty OF their seed to
make n preliminary terminating test
with a few typical ears taken at ran
dom from the rack. II these prelimi-
nary tests show that the seed is good,
the owner then can continue his pre-
cautions TO guard IL from weather
damage. IT. however, this test with
a few ears indicate that the seed is OF
low vitality, tho farmer should az once
make further tests to satisfy himself
as TO whether his seed corn generally
is good or bad.
II farmer finds his seed IL bad he
should take steps at once 10 meet the
difficulty. The purchase OF seed
should not be delayed till spring, es-
pecially when so much corn In various
sections has been damaged. The far
mer should secure his seed from we'll
known sources, buy II upon a germi-
mating guaranty basis, and get his
seed or typical samples early enough
to make his own terminating tests.
II is probable this year that many
farmers who have not followed the
wise practice OF selecting enough spe-
oial seed from good crops to last them
In an emergency for two or three years
Will have TO buy seed. In buying seed,
farmers should try to secure corn NJ
varieties known to prosper in their
section. The safest seed would be
that carefully selected from good corn
grown In the immediate neighborhood,
but at any rate effort should be made
to obtain seed grown In districts where
climate, soil, and farming conditions
In general are similar to those at
home.
If the farmer happens to have a
stock of seed left over from the 1914
crop and doubts the seed saved from
his 1915 crop, he would do well TO
test the older seed also and then use
whichever shows the greater vitality.
Seed corn IL properly cared for will
retain it's vitality for several years.
Many farmers knowing this always So
lect an extra amount of seed from an
unusually good harvest.
The following method OF testing
seed corn is taken from Farmers Bull
letin 704. The corn is placed on dry
Ing racks made by driving wire finish
ing nails about inches apart on four
sides Of stick. A number is placed
over the nail and the butts OF the ears
are put on the nails. II wire fencing
or other seed racks areu sed, the ears
can be numbered in other ways.
In single ear testing, two kernels
from opposite sides OF the ear on the
top, two from the middle, and two
from the butt are put in numbered
squares or portions OF terminating
boxes or other testers. The kernels
are kept moist az a room temperature
not above 80 degrees +. nor below so
degrees +. After six or seven days
the seed should begin to sprout. Only
those ears from which ali the kernels
give strong sprouts should be reserved
for planting
Under ordinary circumstances, Il
may not be absolutely necessary 70
test every Individual ear. II large
number OF typical ears show eermi-
mating tests as high as % per cent,
the seed In a general way may be con
sidered good. Under the unusual con-
ditions prevailing this year, especially
In neighborhoods where the corn did
not mature normally. Il should we'll re-
pay corn grower to test every ear of
corn that he Intends 20 use for seed
II he has any reason 20 doubt the
quality Of his individual stock, the
ear-by-ear testing is simply o form OF
labor and crop insurance.
Before testing termination, the far
mer should examine each ear and
throw out all the ears which do not
look right or which have several with
cred or damaged kernels. He should
strive to make up his seed from ears
which IN size and appearance seem to
be normal for his variety OF corn.
Seed corn should be shellod n possible
BY hand 70 avoid the risk OF damage
BY mechanical sbelling. Before she'll
ing the owner should pick out peculiar
looking kernels and separate the seed
into sizes 80 as 70 make certain that
ne corn arm VII plant rogulariy.