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

In Minnesota only about 20 per cen
Of the corn of this years crop will
terminate. Out of the entire crop
only about per cent is what would
have been considered first class seet
corn in other years.
In North Dakota the seed shortage
is acute and very little corn is avail
able. South Dakota has some seed
and so has Wisconsin, but in all of ths
northwestern states the seed value OF
all Of the corn, excepting that which
has already been selected, dried and
stored, is growing less day by day, pe
cause of increased damage from mold
and dampness.
Corn in Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska
is also soft, and a limited amount OF
seed only will be available from these
states. This seed is not desirable for
planting in this district, since it will
produce nothing better than fodder
and ensilage.
An extremely serious seed shortage
is threatened in the spring, and with.
out immediate action the corn acre
age will be greatly reduced.
There seems to be little prospect of
obtaining seed enough for spring
planting unless each farmer, individu-
ally, will Immediately sort over the
corn on hand and pick out all the good
ears. These should be carefully dried
and then tested for termination. Much
evidence has been accumulated dur
ing the last three weeks to show that
many ears that looked very promising
for seed have been ruined by mold
and will not terminate. There is urg-
ent necessity for termination tests on
each ear selected.
Practically all the corn is damp. Un-
less Immediately dried, it will con-
tinue to deteriorate. Most of the seed
corn that it is possible to save at this
date will constantly diminish in value
through the destruction of it's germ
mating quality by mold and dampness,
unless it is dried, tested and stored at
once.
Careful Investigations just complet-
ed indicate that even with the most
urgent efforts, it may prove impossible
to prevent considerable reduction of
the corn acreage. Without the imme-
date and vigorous cooperation of ev-
cry farmer in the district, the decrease
in acreage will be extremely serio is,
and we will face heavy reduction in
crop which will be urgently needed
in 1918, and crop upon which our
farmers rely for feed.
Farmers are respectfully urged to
act at once, and to personally discuss
the situation with each one of their
neighbors.
In view of the total loss of seed
corn in many counties Of this district;
every farmer who has a surplus, even
though it may amount to only a few
bushels, will be able to market the
same at an extremely good price. This
bank will be glad to act as a clearing
house for information on seed corn,
and you are urged to report such sup
plies as may exist in your locality, in
order that notice may be sent to far
mers that will be anxious to obtain
seed. Any seed reported as available
for shipment to points where needed,
should be carefully stored, and the re-
ports should indicate whether it has
been tested for termination. In view
of the serious damage to most of the
corn, it is likely that buyers will in,
sist upon tested corn. Many localities
will not be able to obtain any seed
unless they can secure it through the
cooperation of farmers in districts
where there is more than is required
for local planting.
I desire to solicit your earnest per
sonal cooperation. The situation
above outlined is, in my opinion, Of a
most serious character. Your help in
urging the farmers to save seed out
of what they have on their own farms
and to do it at once, before further
deterioration occurs, is of the great
est Importance.
Your assistance in locating and re-
porting available surplus stocks OF
seed, even though they may be small
will be of great assistance in provid
ing other localities with seed that can
not otherwise be obtained. Every
bushel of seed thus made available
will represent six or seven acres O.
corn next year.
Very truly yours,
F. L. STONE.