Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-06-25
AZ graemlauLrasle
CORN FODDER.

One evidence Of improvement in agriculture
is the almost universal use Of ccrnstsiks Tor
fodder IL being as rare now to see held oil
stalks Jeff 10 be run over and trampled under
foot by cattle. as il was before The establish
pent OF agricultural societies and agricultural
newspapers, 10 see field of cora cut up by
the roots, and housed in good oder for winter
feeding. Many farmers are now beginning to
find, that corn can be cultivated exclusively
for fodder. cheaper than they can raise other
feed. But there is an error very prevalent IN
regard to the best method OF cultlvaton--l al
Jude to sowing il broadcast. Farmers are 50
much in the habit of sowing all crops broad
cast, that the subject Of drilling IN crops has
received but little attention. We reason. that
because labor is high and the land cheap,
therefore. we cannot afford the time and ex
pense of drilling, but must use more land and
get lighter crops As have had some expe-
rience in cultivating corn fodder, think can
make it appear that the drill system of culture
Is the cheapest.
Lands TO produce corn for any purpose
should be highly manured--and Of course will
be very subject to weeds. Corn cultivated IN
hills is usually very much injured by weeds
but very much more so when sown broad
cast Other spring grains are put in the ground
SO early, that they get the start OF weeds; but
by the time corn is planted, vegetation is rap
i'd and il has to run and even race with weeds
they are sure to come off victorious. In get
Ting the seed into the ground. sowing broad.
cast is the most expeditions but this advan-
tage is greatly oyerbalanced in harvesting and
curing the crops. Corn fodder is the most
difficult TO cure of any crop within my know
ledge. When we recolect, that from 500 10
600 lbs. of syrup, boiled sufficiently TO grain
.alst #
stalks, we shall realize that stalks contain an
abundance of sap.
The following method Of cultivation have
practsed with success. Prepare the land as
usual for corn mark off the drills, three feet
apart, north and south SO as 10 admit the
MONDAY sun between the rows. Let the corn
be dropped in the drills so as TO have one ker-
mel in every two inches. Two bushels OF seed
should be used 10 the acre, and there is not
much danger of getting the corn too thIckly IN
the drills They should be covered by draw
ing the earth from each side OF the drill with
hoe. As soon as the rows can be distinguish
ed, they should be plastered, cultivated and
hoed. A skilful hand with cultivator will
perform the a.ter-culture, as the corn Will grow
SO rapidly as soon to cover the ground, and
prevent the growth of weeds. II should be cut
as soon as it gets its growth. and before fross.
The best method is TO use a common corn cut
ter, LAYING the stalks upon the ground in small
lunches, and when wilted, binding them in
small bundles, and stacking them IN the usual
manner of stacking corn. From seven to nine
bundles placed in a stack, and bound round
the top, will cure we'll The stacks will need
to stand long time in good weather TO be
thoroughly cured and after all, they will al
most assuredly heat in the NOV, and become
Inouldly unless well sailed.
OF their value as food for stock need not
speak, as horses, cattle, or sheep will discuss
that matter to your entire satisfaction, provided
YOU place them within reach.
The great difficulty with corr sown broad
cast is in harvesting and curing. | knew
crop on rich land, which grew about seven feet
high, and the stalks were so timber as TO
scarcely bear their own weight. 1t had to be
cut with a sickle, which was slow tedlouspro
cess. If they can be moved or Graded, there
is still much danger OF their becoming spoiled
before they can be cured; and there is no safe
manner of curing them except by stacking
Farmers will at once perceive that they are
much more readily bound and stacked when
in drills, and cut with sickle or corn-cutter,
than when scattered over the whole sur
face
There is another use for corn sown for fod
der, which is prac,ised by some farmers near
Boston, viz for soiling-and is represented
as a crop equal to any of the articles used in
England for that purpose. If, instead OF try
ing to introduce foreign articles, of which we
are entirely unacquanted, we should try ex
periments in using corn, we should probably
find our account in il. We know II is congo
NAL to our climate, and will afford wholesome
food for man and beast Yours,
MYRION ADAMS.