The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-03-19

ter the heavy SHOWS came. Most Of
this late threshed wheat carries x
cessive moisture and some has tested
as high as Is to 20 per cent mOis-
ture. Late threshed oats and barley
are carrying a higher percentage of
moisture than wheat threshed under
similar conditions. This grain not
only has a high moisture content but
it also has been subjected to a pro-
cess of freezing and thawing for
some time. Few have had exper-
fence with the termination of such
grain.
"W. D. Hay, seed analyst Of the
completed a brief study Of the ger
minatiOn of late threshed grain.
Seventeen lots of wheat, ranging
in moisture content from 1876 to 20.6
per cent, showed a termination of
from SO to 100 per cent. Three lots
containing less than 16 per cent
moisture tested SO per cent or higher
in termination. All wheat tested
which contained 16 per cent or more
moisture showed a termination
ranging from SO to 81 per cent. Five
lots of wheat ranging in moisture
content from IS to 20 per cent were
tested for termination both in their
wet condition and after drying rapid
ly with an electric fan at room tenn
peTatUTe. The average termination
before drying was IS per cent while
after drying it was 70 per cent. This
difference of four per cent is signi-
ficant and indicates that no increase
in termination can be expected from
drying.
1.-TWO lots of oats containing 17.6
per cent and 21.6 per cent moisture
respectively we're tested for germina-
ton before and after drying. The lot
carrying the lower percentage of
moisture terminated 70 per cent no
fore drying and "A per cent after,
while the One with the higher mOis-
ture content terminated so and
per cent before and after drying. This
indicates that moisture affects oats
about the same as wheat and that nc
increase in termination can be ex-
pected from drying.
TESTS on barley showed practically
the same results as those obtained
from wheat and oats. One sample
testing Is per cent moisture TESTED
SO per cent termination while we
and 81 per cent after drying Anoth
er sample containing 21.8 per cen
moisture showed a termination o
81 per cent before drying and sc pc
cent after.
"The termination tests herein re
ported r not extensive enough Il
indicate what the probable germin
ofinn Of Lotto AhmO~L0I --os- ILL L
in general but they do point to tn.
fact that we have a situation whicl
needs attention. 1t will be to the in
terest of every farmer who plans t
use late threshed grain for seed t
find out if it will grow. The situa
ton is quite different from what
ordinarily is at this time of the year
Grain of any kind which is allow
ed to heat or sprOut due to excessiv
, moisture, makes a very poor SEED
Much late threshed grain which ha
shown a good termination up to tn
first of March may become WORTHLESS
as seed by seeding time unless spe,
laI precautions are taken to haste
drying.
Numerous moisture tests mad
AO4 Ad4LACAo QQIluS LuG winter ina
cate that grain dries very little duI
ing cold weather even though it ma
have been shOveled from one bin /
another. However, with the risin
temperature and the approach {
spring drying is more rapid. Graf
which carried excessive moisture an
which is intended for seed should
watched very closely from now unit
it is seeded. ShOveling occasional
will hasten the drying of grain ar
prevent it from heating"
termination tests are more il
pOrtant this year than they have bee
for some time. The Seed Testil
Laboratory at Montana State COLES
at BOZeman, makes germinatiC
tests free of charge. In sampli1
seed grain for a termination test
is important to take a small porto
of grain from a number of places
the bin and mix by rolling in a bla
ket. A pint sample should be TAX.
from this mixed lot and sent to L
laboratory for testing.