The Mena weekly star., 1918-04-25
.C-,n.iiIMAE,l TESTS
 MADE IF SELD CyHN
Two-THiRDs OF SAMPLES TEST. go SHOW 05 PER CENT OR
 BETTER.

By L. w Osborn, Agricultural Exper- iment Station, U. of A. Fayetteville. Termination ts.ts made of Arkansas seed corn indicate that the seed situa- ton in this state is much more favor able than in Northern corn-belt states. Tests were made by the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Arkansas under the direction of Mir L. W. Osborn with over one hun dred samples sent in by county agents and farmers from about 40 counties of the state. While the percentage of germination of these samples varies from 56 to 100 per cent, the average of all samples sent in was 94 per cent. Two-thirds of the samples sent in test ed 96 per cent or better. SS per cont of the samples tested 90 per cent or better. six per cent ranged between 80 and 90 per cent and five per cent below 30 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 she crop before it was fully matured ~ when 1t was full of moisture" says E. Osborn. "In Arkansas, corn flanted 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 com pletely dried corn may absorb moist ure if exposed during damp weather In winter and that subsequent freezes may lower It's vitality. Corn which has been stored when thoroughly dry in a fairly close crib will usually re- tain its vitality and make dependable seed. Corn stored damp Is Eke1y to have it's germination lowered.
 Test Corn To Be Sure of Quality,
 Ordinarily very little attention is given to testing seed corn in thls 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 corn to germinate may be obtained by the following method: Choose 100 ears at random and remove three kernels from each at different parts of the ear. as the butt, tip and middle. Mix the kernels to make composite sam pie.
 How To Make a oerminator.
 "A good germinator is made by us- ing two pie tins or dinner plates. Fill one with sand. sawdust, or soil Place 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 so as to make a moist chamber within Keep moist in warm place
 ''Six days Is sufficient time to al. low for gerInination Seed germinating 90 to s3 per cent may be considered fair, 94-97 good. and eS-100 excellent. Because of the shortage of farm labor it is of greatest importance that seed having high germination, 9E per cent, be used to avoid the necessity of thick planting and subsequent thin ming With seed germinating 90 per cent or less, 1t would seem best either to make an individual ear test or to obtain new seed having a higher ger mination."