Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-06-11

Sowing Corn for Fodder


We have cultivated corn for fodder many
years, and End il, all things considered, the
saost profitable crop We can riise II may be
sown during the comparative Season of leisure
Just after complaining, and secured at the
next season Of leisure just after haying and
harvesting, After repeatedly cropping the
same ground we are satisfied that i rather
cnriches than impovershes the land, no grain
heing formed, and vast bed ofroois remain.
ing. Nothing is equal 10 il for reducing
rough, turfy. wcedy land, to a state Of clean
lincss and good tilth. we believe il is the
hest falow crop in the world, 10 proceed
wheat
u should ucrcr be torn broadcast The
inpcrfcctions Of the mode are the chief rca-
sons that the crop has not become more gem
orally introduced. Il requires more seed,
and leaves the ground in a fouler condition
than when sown in plowed drills. We have
tried both ways TO our entire satisfaction as to
the comparative value Of each. The follow
ing is the best mode for sowing, cultivating,
and securing the crop:
Pow and harrow the ground as for any
other crop; furrow it with one-horse plow,
three feet apart; let man pass along one of
these drills with lf.bushel basket on his
left arm containing shelled corn, and strew
the seed in the furrow at the rate Of about
40 OF SO grains TO foot, which will be about
2l or 3 bushels f9 acre He will do this
evenly, with little pacctice, as fast as he can
walk II sowed thinner, the crop will be
smaller. We have found by accurately weigh
ing aud measuring, that 20 grains to the
foot yielded only twothirds the crop afforded
by 40 grains to the foot. Immediately after
the sower, follows man with a one horse
harrow, or cultivator, or with a two-horsc har-
row, lengthOis with the furrow, 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. Nc
hoeing is necessary, for the dense growth soon
smothers down all ese and in the autumn
when the crop is cut of, the earth is left as
clean as a 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 reapng If straight and even, a
common sythe will answer the purpose, a little
practice ensbeling the operator to throw il
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 uF
in large shocks, although raking by horse
into winrows for cocks, might answer we'll fol
large fields. 1t can neper be safely put into
large stacks. The most perfect way would
be 10 place it in small stacks or long upright
rows, under large shed. Even if the stalks
appear perfectly cured after several week:
exposure. they will certainly heat and spoil i
stacked in the ordinary way. Hence, the
stacks must be quite small, freely salted, ant
well ventilated by means of three or fou
poles placed upright in the center. We have
found the stalks TO retain a good condition
when left in large. well made shocks on tn
field. till wanted in winter. Curing is thu
only difficulty with the crop, and this ceases
when understood.
For soiling, or feeding green corn fodde
often proves of the highest value, when pas
lures are burnt by drouth. For this purpos
it may be sown at different periods till mid
summer Country Gentleman.