Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-01-02
sEED CORN SITUATION.


Farm, st. Paul. Farmers,
'eedsmen, County Agents, High
'chool Agriculturists, special agents
vho have been making seed corn scr-
eys In various parts of the state, and
theirs were present. E. L. Rodegeb,
+ the local high school, Department
4 Agriculture, attended the meeting
IS a representative from Kandiyohi
county. From reports Of the different
'arts of the state one could not help
the conclusion that Mime.
'ota will be short on seed corn next
rear, and the acreage of corn will of
necessity be cut-some estimate 50
'er cent cut in their locality. Neigh
boring states are short and in many
cases, they are coming over into Min
nesota and buying up corn for seed
and taking their chances on germina-
ton. Some communities have more
seed than they need while others have
practically none. It has been difficult
to dry seed corn. Mold is common
and bad. Severe cold weather came
early when the corn was wet and did
great damage. In many places, poor
seed will have to be planted. It is
important that seed corn be thoroly
dry and kept under as good conditions
as possible. Ear tested as soon as
possible. Those short Of seed should
look up a supply for next year at an
early date. Perhaps by ear testing
large amount, a sufficient supply of
seed may be secured.
Representatives from big seed
houses say that they have very little
seed corn on hand as they could not
get it dry enough to keep any large
supply in storage.
At the conference a committee was
appointed by motion to write up the
meeting, drawing conclusions and
making suggestions. A copy of some
to be sent to those present and others
who might be interested. The sug-
gestions of this committee may be in
teresting and helpful:
1. Stimulate farmers to get their
own seed and to secure it from their
home county.
2. Establish exchange between CON-
munities and counties.
3. Encourage small shipments to
prevent spelling enroute.
4. Use Minnesota Crop Improve
ment Association as exchange medium.
5. Encourage exclusive use of Min
nesota Seed for ear production.
6. Work must be done Immediately:
(a) Large percentages are being ship
ped out. (b) Cold weather certain to
follow will reduce seed value of corn
7. To those who have seed Of stand.
ard variety and good type we recon-
mend: (a) Plant and care for in such
a way as to produce the maximum
amount of seed for 1919. (b) That
those who have these standard vari
cites be urged to save every ear which
may now be in the crib, shock, stack
or field and cure in the best possible
way and offer for local use. (c) Avoid
as far as possible the exchange of seed
from too great distances.
8. Use Minnesota grown corn test
ing rs per cent termination or over
for hill corn production and all seed
with termination as low as 40 pei
cent may be. used for fodder purposes
9. Seed and seeding precautions
(a) In the use of seed of relativel,
low termination recommend the plant
ing of sufficient more seed to effect q
perfect stand. (b) A more thorough
preparation of the soil to make a per
fectly fine and firm seed bed and al
the same time kill large portion OF
the weed seeds is necessary because
OF the weaker vitality of the seed corn
(c) Use particular pains to plant the
corn, so that the seed will not be more
than IL inches below the surface at
ter it is narrowed.
10. Cooperate with your County
Agent or County Markets Committee
men, High School Agriculturists to or
ganize locally to save every bushe]
possible and make surplus supplies
available for other sections of the
state.
IL. All but eight counties will need
seed from outside sources up to as
high as 5000 bushels.
IL. Avoid as far as possible of keen
ing corn in bulk or sacks for any
length of time until after it is thor.
oughly dried.
13. Minnesota Crop 1mprovem. nt
Association, University Farm, St. Paul
has an available list of names of par
ties who have reported various
amounts of surplus seed stock on
hand.
IA. We strongly recommend that an
individual ear test of all seed corn
used In Minnesota be made about Mar,
l, to- determine the termination.
Is. We strongly recommend and
urge that those farmers needing seed
corn place their orders and secure a
shipment at the earliest possible mo-
,ment. Slow transportation, and Car
shortage will cause delayed shipments
and much loss to those, in securing
seed corn of desired quality.
Submitted by Special Committee of