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Show HOW TO TEST SEED CORN A Very Simple Test Described by Utah Agricultural College, A simple and yet very effective way to test corn for seed is thus outlined by a Utah Agricultural publication: One of the cheapest as well as most convenient and accurate methods of testing seed corn is known as the "rag doll" method. For this test buy a few yards of sheeting of good quality and tear it into strips 8 inches wide and from 3 to 6 feet long. If it is planned to use the strips a number of times hem the edges, as otherwise the ravelings sometimes disarrange the kernels in unrolling. Draw a line with a heavy pencil lengthwise down the middle of each cloth strip. Then draw cross lines at right angles to the first to divide the strip into squares about 3 inches wide. Number the squares. Wet one of the strips thoroughly and stretch it out in front of the ears to be tested. Take 6 kernels from Ear No. 1 and place in square No. 1; take 6 kernels from Ear No. 2 and piace in square No. 2, and so on. When the cloth has been filled, begin be-gin at either end and roll the cloth up. If the cloth is well moistened the kernels will not push out of place. When the cloth has been rolled, tie a string around each end loosely, or better still, use a rubber band. Number Num-ber this roll No. 1. Then proceed with roll No. 2 in the same way. As many rolls may be used as are necessary to contain the corn which one has to test From 30 to 50 ears can be tested in each roll, depending upon the lengh. After the rolls have been filled and rolled up they should be placed in a bucket or tub of water where they should remain from-2 to 18 hours, depending de-pending upon the preference of the operator. At the end of this time, the water should be poured off and the bucket or tub turned upside down over the rolls. A common dry goods box can be used for this purpose. A couple of small pieces of wood should be laid under the rolls and one edge of the pail or tub shoul be lifted from to 1 inch in order to give ventilation. ventila-tion. At the end of 5 days the kernels should be ready for examination. Depending upon the arrangement of the ears, select, first either roll No. 1 or the last roll filled. This cloth should be unrolled in front of the ears represented. Examine all the kernels carefully. In cases in which all 6 kernels 'are not strong in germination germina-tion the ear should be rejected for seed. |