Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1912 — Anticipates Much Seed-Corn Difficulty—Local Test Made. [ARTICLE]

Anticipates Much Seed-Corn Difficulty—Local Test Made.

The Orange Judd Farmer and other agricultural journals have been sounding a seed corn warning during recent weeks. The above named publication says: The seed corn situation is frightful. It has not been so bad for twenty years. It is exceedingly doubtful whether seed corn for the next year’s crop at this time was ever in as poor condition. Much of the corn was late, heavy rains during September, October and November prevented drying out on the stalk and even where the seed corn was husked early and placed in drying sheds, the large humidity in the atmosphere prevented thorough curing.” *The article goes on to state that the early cold weather froze the coni and destroyed the germinating power before the corn dried.. In lowa, the article states, only a small pei* cent of the best corn will be fit for planting. A prominent farmdr in Douglas county, 111., after making a thorough test of seed corn intended for the market, reports that only 60 per cent is fit for planting. The writer takes a very pessimistic view of the situation and figures that much labor will be lost In planting corn that will not germinate. B. W. Ellsworth, of Barkley township, recently made a test of crib corn, taking ears from different parts of the crib. He says that he did not find a grain that was fertile. With the corn that had boon hung -up tor seed he found It about all right, but he figures that people who go to their cribs to .get their seed corn are going to have a lot of trouble. y'._ / ' The Orange Judd Farmer insists that all farmers*’should test their seed and do it without delay. The following . method is recommended: .

“Take six kernels from different parts of every ear, place them in a germinating box, either homemade or purchased, and place in a compara T ively warm location until the corn begins to sprout. The ears that start quickly and grow vigorously are the ones to keep for seed. Be exceedingly careful about this, as it may mean all the difference between profit and kiss in your farming operations next year.”