Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-22
agrtruIturaI.
Sowing Corn for Fodder.

So conclusive and satisfactory have
been the experiments in sowing corn for
fodder, in preference to stripping the
leaves from the stalk, IN the usual way
that the policy ought not now to be re-
garded mooted, but one Of the fixed facts
OF agriculture. A year ago we published
an account of an experiment made by
ourselves, by which it appeared that the
corn of the stalks robbed of the leaves,
attbe usual time of gathering fodder was
deficient in weight, when compared with
that not stripped, the full amount of the
fodder. This deficiency was certainly
the effect. of taking away the leaf from
the plant, and SO long as a pound of corn
issworth. more than pound Of fodder, it
must be losing business to remove the
blade. We have made several expert
mcnts of a like character, with great
care, for the purpose of testing the facts,
and all with the same results. If there
were no sources from which we could
supply our wants in fodder, this loss would
have to be submitted to; but there are,
and it is questionable whether they had
not better be resorted to, even it the strip
ping practice did not injure the corn.
Pulling fodder is one of the most unpro-
ftable and irksome operations on the
farm, and to avoid it our practice is, to
set apart piece of land in the spring to
be sown at convenient time-either in
May, June, or July Having plowed
thoroughly, we open furrows at from 8
to 81 feet apart, in which we drill from
two to three bushels to the acre and cover
with plow. After which the cultivator
is run through it once or twice, at suita.
BILE intervals, according to the season and
its rapid or retarded growth.
When the corn is in full tassel, we cut
it and shock it around stakes, driven into
the ground, to prevent its being blown
down. We set the butt ends of the corn
down and secure the tops to the stake by
band. Some place the tops down, be-
lieving that it cures better in this position.
We sometimes take the shocks down af-
ter they have stood a few days and turn
them inside out, and consider the time
well spent, as it ensures uniform and
thorough curing of the fodder in a much
shorter time than if left standing as first
put up. 1t may, however, be removed
before fully cured, to the barn, shuck-
house, or open sheds, and set up mot laid
down. as close as il can be pressed to-
gether, and left till sufficiently cured to
pack away for winter use. In this way
we have a very large amount of fodder
to the acre; by others, as high as hun
dred tons, in its green state, have been
reported, and there is no reason to dis
credit the report If desirable, two crops
may be made year. The first may be
cut the last of June, and the second in
September, or if delayed later it will have
small ears upon it. 1t is Of so rapid and
prolific growth, of course it is great ex-
hauster to the land, and for this reason it
is believed of doubtful policy to make
two crops.
Some have regarded it good .fallow to
precede wheat, and have declared great
confidence in it for this purpose, but we
confess we have not faith to this extent.
Others have been pleased with the prac.
tice of sowing it on land after oats have
been taken off, and think it a benefit to
the land, but whatever may be the truth
in these respects, one thing is certain, and
all experimentalists and naturalists agree
in it that the leaf should not be stripped
from the plant before the maturity of the
fruit. The best course we conceive to be
set apart at this season one two four or
eight acres, according to our wants, for
the express purpose of making fodder.
If the land has been well manured it may
be sown in peasa the last working, and
before frost valuable crop of psa-vines
may be made from the sar,e ground. If
!, Ess TO. boca s.aaurod, SOW the peas,