[f. KERN v.1 + -ING1.] The process of forming into grains; seeding; granulation. Also attrib., as kerning-period, -season. -time; kerning-ground (see quot. 1732).
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric. (1681), 135. The greater Trees, in their blossoming and kerning-time.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. II. 43. The Indians, whose business … is to gather the Salt thus into Heaps, wait here by turns all the Kerning Season.
1732. W. Ellis, Pract. Farmer, Gloss., Kerning ground is that which, drest well, will produce a great quantity of corn, as gravel does. Ibid. (1744–50), Mod. Husbandm., I. I. 47. A better kerning of the blossoms.
1894. Agric. Gaz., 16 July, 61/2. The kerning period has been so favourable that there is every reason to expect a good yield in proportion to straw.
