The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-06-15
Sowing corn for Fodder.


We have cultivated corn for foddermany
years, and fndit. a. things considered, the
most profitable crop We can raise. 1t may
be sown during the comparative season OF
leisure just after haying and harvesting
After redeatedly cropping the same ground
We are. satisfied that 1t rather enriches than
lmpoTerishes the land, no grain being form
ed g, and a vast bed of roots remaing. No
thing is equal to it for reducing rough, turfy
weedy land, to a state of cleanliness and
good lth. We believe it is the best fallow
crop in the world, to precede wheat.
IL should neUer be SoaUn broadcast. The
imperiectii MS of the mode are the chief ,ea-
ons that the crop has nOt bee ONE more gen
orally introduced. 1t requires more seed,
and leaves the ground in a fouler condition
than wien sown in plowed drills. We have
tried both ways to our entire satisfaction as
to the comparative value ofeach. The fol-
lowing is the best mode for sowing, culd-
waiting, and securing the crop:
Plow and harroN the ground as for any
other crop; furrow it with one-horse pIow,
three feet apart; let man pass along one of
these drills with half bushel basket on his
left arm containing sheIled corn and strew
the seed in the lurrow at the rate of about
40 Or 80 grains to foot, which will be a.
bout 81 or bushels d8 acre. He will do
this evenly. with little practice, as fast as
he can walk. If sowcd thinner the crop will
be smaller. We have found by accurately
weighing and measuring, that 20 grains to
tie foot yielded only two. thirds the crop af-
forGed by 40 grains to the foot lmmedi-
ately after the Sower follows man with a
one-horSe harrow, Or cultiyator, or with a
two-horse harrow, lengthWise with the fur
row; and covers the seed. Two men will
thus plant six or seven acres in day.
When the corn is six inches TO afoot high,
Iun one horse cultivator between the
Iows4s This is all the dressing the crop
needs. No hoeing is necessary, for the dense
| growth soon smoLhers down all else; and in
he autumn, when The crop is cut on, the
ealth is left clean as a newly plowed
! field.
1t is to be harvested about the first OF
autumn, when the crop is very heavy or
much lodged" it is cut by reaping. ii
! StfaiphL ana even, common Soy the VIII
answer the purpose, little practice enabl-
ing the operator to throw it smOthly with
the heads in one direction. After partly
drying, for day Or two, the best way is
to tie it in bundles and it up in large
sho; ks, although raking hya horse into win
rows for cocks, might answer well tor large
fields. 1t can never he safely put into large
stacks. The most perfect way would be to
place it in small stacks or long upright rows
under large she'd Even ii the stalks APP
pear perfectly cured after several weeks
exposure, thry will certainly heat and spoil
if stacked in the ordinary way. Hence, the
stacks must be quite small, freely sailed,
and well wa: lated by means Of three Oh
four poles placed upright in the crure.--
We have found the stalk to retain good
condition when left in large, well made
shocks on the field, till wanted i'll winter
Cmcg is the only difficulty with this crop
and this ceases Tnen ullerstool.
For s6ilng, or feeding green corn fodder
often proves of the highest value, when pas
tmes are burnt by drouth. For this purpose
it may be sown at different periods till mid
summer.-Coaatry Gentleman.