Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-04-02
Test Your Seed Corn.

Test Your Seed Corn.
(By g. southwick. Connecticut College)
Testing seed corn for termination be
fore planting has been definitely showl
to be . very profitable way Of increasing
the resulting stand in the field II th'
poorly terminating seed IL discarded
The time and expense of test can be
paid for several times BY the increased
yields of fuller stand. No farmer car
afford this year to plant seed for corr
without testing It's termination, especial
~ II he has no knowledge of where Of
how 1t was grown or stored. Reduce
the high cost Of next years feed BY
running . termination test now and
getting better stand than ever before
THE sANDBox METHOD.
Get . box 8 or 4 inches deep. fill II
half full of sand or sawdust and pack
this In we'll. A piece of white cloth car
be cut to ft into the box and marked
of in 3.inch squares, or small nails car
be driven into the box on oil sides every
inches and strings run between them
to lay of the box into squares. Lay
out the ears to be tested on shelf where
they will not be disturbed, or number
each ear with tag. Letter or number
the squares In the box to correspond to
the ears. Take six kernels from each
ear and put them In tho proper square in
the box. These six kernels should be
taken from different parts Of the ear
two from near the tip, two from the
center, and two from near the butt
Take the kernels out carefully without
injury to the germ.
II the cloth marked off In squares
is used, lay another cloth over
tho kernels; then cover this with ! to
inches of sand or sawdusr. Sprinkle
this top layer and pack 1t down. After
10 to IL days carefully draw back the
top cloth and count the kernels that
have sprouted strongly, and discard the
ears that show poor germlnation.
II sawdust is used soak 1t overnight
before putting In the box to be sure OF
its being thoroughly wet.
"RAG-DoLL" METHOD.
One of the cheapest as we'll as most
convenient and accurate methods ol
testing seed corn is the 90 called "rae
doll" To make this tester cut canton
flannel into strips 8 inches wide and
from 8 to 8 feet long. With heavy
pencil draw a plain line through the
middle of the strip, then starting
inches from one end, mark of into IL
to finch squares and number each
square on the smooth side of the flannel
Now wet the cloth and lay out on
table; then place six kernels from cal
No. i In square No. l and 30 on until oil
squares have been filed. Be careful not
to mix the kernels In different squares
When the cloth IL filled, roll It up
starting with stick or bent cardboard
as q core. Don't try to roll 1t very
tightly and tie loosely. Soak these rag
dolls overnight; then lay on some sticks
80 they can drain ont and cover with q
box or pail. Leave for eight to IL days
at go to 75 degrees, then carefully un.
roll and count the termination; discard
az noted above.
Before using any cloth for Q second
test boil thoroughly to kill all molds
that might cause rotting. II 10 also
better to use new sawdust or sand fol
each test.
Advantages of the rag doll are: Ths
cheapest and easiest tester to make
Less mold develops In this tester. Car
be most easily disinfeoted. Takes W
little room and can be easily moved
All parts Of kernel, roots, shoots, etc.,
can be readily seen. Gives an accurate
test.