The Huttig news., 1918-04-13
TERMINATION TESTS MADE 0f SEED CORN
TWo-THiRDS OF SAMPLES TEST ED SHOW s5 PER CENT-oR
 BETTER.
By L. W. Osborn. Agricultural Exper- inent Station II of FaXafteyiE.

By L. W. Osborn. Agricultural Exper-
 iment Station, U. of A. Fayetteville.
 Domination tests made of Arkansas seed corn indicate that the seed situa- tion in this state is much more favor able than in Northern corn-belt States. Tests were made by the Agricultural Ex, ,eriment Station of the University of Arkansas under the direction of MT. L. W. Osborn with over one hun- dred samples sent in by county agents and farmers from about 70 counties of the state. While the percentage of gernination of these samples varies from b6 to 100 per cent, the average of all samples sent in was 94 per cent. Two-thirds of the samples sent in test ed 95 per cent or better, S8 per Cent Of the samples tested 90 per cent or better, six per cent ranged between below so per cent.
 There is danger that late planted corn, and corn in general which ma- tured late, may have an impaired ger imitation due to the fact that the early freeze of last fall may have caught the crop before 1t was fully maiured CT when it was full of moisture" says MT. Osborn. "In Arkansas, com planted at the usual time in early spring natures in August or Septem- Der, and ordinarily is well dried out before severe freezes take place. We'll dried mature corn will withstand very low temperatures without seriously af- fecting the vitality. Of course, there is always the danger that even con- pletely dried corn may absorb moist. ure if exposed during damp weather in winter and that subsequent freexes may lower It's vitality. Corn which has been stored when thoroughly dry in fairly close crib will usually re- tain its vitality and make dependable seed Corn stored damp Is likely to have its germination lowered.
 Test Corn To Be Sure of Quality.
 ordinarily very little attention is given to testing seed corn in this state. The extreme cold of the past winter, however, Is sufficient reason to justify making tests to determine the quality of the seed to be planted. A good index of the ability of seed corr to germinate may be obtained by the following method: Choose 100 ears al random and remove three kernels from each at different parts of the ear, as the butt, tip and middle. Mix the kernels to make a composite sam pie.
 How To Make a Gcrminator.
 "A seod germinator is made by us- ing two pie tins or dinnes plates. Fill one with sand, sawdust, or soil. Place a clean cloth on this and spread the kernels out to be germinated. Place a second cloth over the seeds and wet down. Then invert the second pie tin or dinner plate over the first 50 as to make a moist chamber within. Keep moist in warm place.
 Six days Is sufficient time to al- low fer germination. Seed germinating go to 93 per cent may be considered fair. 9497 good and aS100 excellent. Because of the shortage of farm labor it is of greatest importance that seed having a high germilStio 95 per cent. be used to avoid the necessity Of thick planting and subsequent thin hing With seed germinating 90 per cent or less. it would seem best either 10 make an individual ear test or to obtain new seed having a higher ger mination."