The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-09-26
GOOD SEED CORN
May BE Scarce For 1881 In
Drought Stricken Areas

Many farmers In areas seriously
affected by the extreame heat and
drought are confronted by the prob
lem of insuring supply of seed corn
for planting in 1881, says the U. S.
Department of Agriculture. In fact,
unless they recognize the situation
promptly and take steps to meet it
the ill effects of the drought may not
stop with the current crop, the
department adds. 1T is potable,
that there are few areas so
seriously affected that sufficient corn
of local adapted varieties can not be
had for planting in 1881, but the
seriousness of the conditions must be
recognised, and steps taken immedi-
ately to insure that enough seed of
these varities is saved" the depart
ment says. Further, it should be
recognized that the customary prac-
tice of selecting only large, well-filled
ears for seed cannot and need not be
adhered to in areas where drought
and heat have reduced the corn crop
to almost nothing.
Farmers have given much atten.
ton to the careful selection of their
seed corn in recent years. AS
result, many productive strains have
been developed that are adapted
to the localities where they have
been grown. To lose these and re-
place them with varieties from dis
lance will in many cases not only
cause lower yields in 1881, but will
pass on the penalty of lower yields
even to the third and fourth gener-
atoms. 1t is imperative, therefore
that farmers who may have well
adapted strains save seed to con-
tinue these strains in 1881, and by
seed is meant anything that will
germinte well.
'In ordinary seasons seed ears are
selected from normal productive
plants that mature reasonably within
the growing season available. In
the single-eared varieties 'produc-
tive means bearing one large ear, in
the prolific varities it means bearing
two or more well-developed ears.
Only those ears usually are saved for
seed which are reasonably we'll filled
at butt and tip and with moderately
straight rows of kernels. These, of
course, represent only a small pre-
centage of the crop and, in genaral,
are hereditarily the best. Now,
where the crop may consist Of few
bushels per acre, there are no such
ears but the nubbins represent
equally well the most productive
plants. Moreover they will carry
toward to the next generation the
effects of the selection during prev
ious years.
eff the individual kernels are de-
veloped and will terminate they will
produce just as good plants whether
there are 5 or 500 on the ear. A
four-inch nubbin with 100 we'll
developed kernels of a productive,
adapted variety from drought-ruined
field is likely to be better seed corn
for 1881 than 1O-inch ear from 100
miles north or SOUTH"
1t is probable that some farmers
may not be able to get even nubbins
for seed. In such cases some nearby
farmer may have field more for
tunately situated and not so badly
injured, from which seed may be
obtained for 1881.
Old corn which may be intended
for planting in 1881 should be tested
for termination as soon as possible.
If it will terminate now and is kept
protected from the weather during
the coming winter it will terminate
next spring. If it does not terminate
now there is time to seek another
source of seed.
Seed corn is going to be scarce in
the spring of 1881 in many areas and
those who put off obtaininga supply
until then may have to pay a fancy
price for seed brought in from
distance and which may be unadapt-
ed to the locality.