The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-09-27

moderate surplus 4,000,00 bushels
should be selected this fall.
There's no doubt about the advant.
age of selecting seed corn. Expert
ments conducted at Iowa State col.
lege show that an acre of corn
planted with seed that has been Sc
lected early, well dried, stored and
tested, produces an average of to
8 bushels more than an acre planted
with seed selected haphazard 1t is
estimated that 500 OF the farmers In
Iowa thus carefully select their seed
corn. II the other 500 did likewise
it would mean an increase OF 100000
900 bushels in Iowa's corn crop. Cen
eral conditions make it reasonably
certain that Iowa farmers will be do
ing both the patriotic and the profit
able to increase their corn yield next
year.
State Wide Campaign 10 Planned.
Because the situation demands I'm
mediate action the agricultural ex-
tension department at Iowa State col
1ege, in cooperation with the U. S.
Department Of Agriculture, has mar
shaled the 30 county agentL and an
additional body Of ~ trained men,
some of them the best known corn
growers in Iowa, for seed corn cam
paign that will reach every part Of
the state. The state has been divid-
ed into ~ districts and each special
man assigned to district. Through
farmers meetings. the schools, coun-
ty agents, councils of defense and all
other possible effective channels
these men will urge and work for
seed corn selection. They stand at
the service Of every farmer in Iowa,
to help him select, dry and store his
seed corn for next year.
-Four million bushels selected" has
been set as the slogan Of the cam
paign in order that this state may
have enough for sorting and replant-
ing and also help supply other states
next year if the call should come.
Farmers themselves declare that .
similar campaign waged by the de-
partment two years ago was respon-
sible for at least two bushel in.
crease on every corn acre In Iowa.
This means 100000, bushel in
crease, which with corn worth 80
cents as 1t was at that time, meant
q saving of some $1S,O00,0O that can
be credited to the campaign.
The BEST Way" to Select Seed.
There is just one best way" to Sc
: tect seed corn, the seed selection
agents are preaching, and that is to
go into the field after the corn Is well
dented and pick at least twice enough
seed from the standing stalks to plant
the corn acreage next year. This
would require that 80 to 40 ears OF
seed corn be selected for every acre
to be planted.
Briefly the program of selection be-
Ing advocated is this:
Gather seed corn right now before
frost has chance to touch it..
A convenient way to gather 1t ts
In q grain sack in the end OF which
has been placed a hoop to keep It
open. This can be strapped over the
shoulder. Or an easy way to gather
it is in home made cart.
Select ears from strong, vigorous
stalks.
Select ears that grow at medium
height on the stalks.
Select from stalks that are growing
under average conditions.
Pick early to medium maturing
ears.
Pick ears with medium length
shank.
Pick cara that stand neither too
erect nor too dropping.
Pf1k, ears with we'll flied butts and
tips.
String ears on Irvine, using "dou-
BILE string method" or on wire, using
common woven wire seed corn hang
.er. Allow no ears to touch. Hang In
dry, well ventilated place SUCH as =
cellar with, furnace, attic or store
room, II dry and well ventilated.
Freezing Reakens or kills the corn.
Community Storage Houses.
Many farmers, especially renters
who do not have suitable places to
dry and store corn, hesitate to select
seed early or even save it at all.
Because Of the critical situation this
fall the extension people are advis-
ing community storage of seed corn.
It Is suggested that farmers clubs.
commercial clubs or other organiza-
lions secure storage buildings and
bear the expense OF rent, heat and re-
pairs or guarantee the expense and
charge each farmer storage accord
Ing to the bushels held.
Seed corn agents will be 1T work
in every county and they can be So
cured to. inspect buildings ana assist
with plans. Any help that can be
rendered. Will be given upon applica-
ton to the agricultural extension de-
spartmeut, Iowa State college, Ames.