Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-05-24

"a We copy the following timely article from
the Albany CHItjUGtor, of the very best of our
Agricultural periodicals:
So,0i,g Corn for Fodder.-We have cultivated
corn for fodder for many years, and find it, all
things considered, the most profitable we can
raise. 1t may be sown during the comparative
season of leisure Just after corn planting, and Sc.
cured at the next of leisure Just after hay
ing and harvesting. After repeatedly cropping
she same ground, we are satisfied that it rather
enriches than impoverishes the land, no grain be-
ing formed, and vast bed of roots remaining -
Nothing is equal to it for reducing rough, turfy
weedy land, to a state of cleanliness and good
filth We believe it the best fallow crop in the
world, to precede wheat.
1t should never be sown broadcast. Theimper-
fections of this mode are the chief reasons that
the crop has not become more generally introduce
ed. 1t requires more Seed and leaves the ground
in fouler condition than when sowed in plowed
drills. We have tried both ways to our satisfac-
ton to the comparative lue of each The
following is the best mode of sowing, cultivating,
and securing the crop:
Plough and harrow the ground as for any other
crop; furrOw it with a one horse pillow, three feet
apart; let man pass along one of these drills
with half bushel basket on his left arm CON
tanning shelled corn, and strew the seed in the
furrow at the rate of about 40 or 30 grains to
foot, which will be about 2 IL or bushels to an
acre. He will do this evenly, with little prac-
tice, as fast as he can walk. If sowed thinner,
the crop will be smaller. We have found, by ac-
curately weighing and measuring that 90 grains
to the foot yielded only two thirds the crop af-
forded by 40 grains to the foot Immediately af-
ter the sower, follows man with a one horse
harrow or cultiyator, with two horse harrow,
lengthwise with the furTow, and covers the seed
Two men will thus plant six or seven acres in
day.
When the corn is six inches to foot high, run
a one horse cultivator between the rows. This is
all the dressing the crop needs. No hoeing is
necessary, for the dense growth soon smothers
down all else; and in the autumn, when the crop
is cut off, he earth is left as clean as newly
plowed field.
1t is to be harvested about the first of autumn
If the crop is very heavy, or much lodged" it
is cut by reaping. If straight and even, COM
mon scythe will answer the purpose, little prac-
tice enabling the operator to throw it smoothly
with the heads in one direction After partly
drying for day or two, the best way is to tie it
in bundles, and put it up in large Shocks altho
raking by horse into winrows for cocks, might
answer for large fields. 1t must dry for some
weeks 1t Reuer be safely put into large
stacks. The most perfect way would be to place
1t in small or long upright rows, under a large
shed. Even if the stalks appear perfectly cured
after several weeks exposure, they will certainly
heat and spoil, if stacked in the ordinary way
Hence the stacks must be quite small freely silt
ed, and well ventilated by means of three or four
poles placed upright in the centre. We have
found the stalks to retain good condition when
left in large well made shocks on the field, till
wanted in winter Curing is the only difficulty
with this crop, and this ceases when understood.
Land that will yield thirty bushels of corn to
the acre, will afford about Zee tons Of dried fod-
der. Moist land is better than very dry, as it is
more affected by drought than ordinary crops
We have not found the cost, including interest
on the land to exceed 81 80 per ton for the dried
fodder.
For soiling, or feeding green, corn fodder often
proves of the highest value, when pastures are
burnt by drought For this purpose it may be
sown at different periods till summer.