The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-07-15
9YaAl H90N0MY.
GREEN FODDER.

4
The late Col. Pickering, in an address
before the Essex County Agricultural Soci.
ETY., once said:
Every farmer knows how eagerly cattle
deyour the entire plant Of the Indian corn
in its green state; and land in good condi-
tion will produce heavy crops Of it. Some
years ago, just when the ears were in the
milk, cut close to the ground the plants
growing on measured space, equal as
Judged, to the average product Of the whole
piece; and found that, at the same rate, an
acre would yield twelve tons Of green fod-
der probably richer and more nourishing
food than any other known to the husband.
man. And this quantity was the growth Of
less than four months.
"It has appeared to me that the sort
called sweet corn yields stocks Of richer
juice than the common yellow corn. II is
also more disposed to multiply suckers-an
additional recommendation to it when plant
ed to be cut in green state for horses and
cattle, and especially for milch cows; and
the time Of planting may be so regulated as
to furnish supplies Of food just when the
pastures usually fail. lam inclined to doubt
butter Of equal quality"
Col. Pickering was wont to speak modesfly
when others regarded him as good authority.
Many things which appeared to him, years
ago, as important agricultural truths, have
since been proved to be such, and among
others this Of planting corn for green fodder.
In connection with Col. Pickering remarks,
tiat the time of planting NAV be so regu-
lated as to furnish supplies Of food just
when the pastures usually fail. we would
inquire, inasmuch as corn stalks and leaves,
well cured, are an excellent winter food for
cattle, whether the time Of planting could
not be regulated with some reference to
prospective wants of the succeeding winter.
We believe that the farmer should have the
general plan Of the summer campais- made
Out urfOrrnanu, should study IN the winter,
lay his plans for the season, and then carry
them out in the summer. We suppose,
however, there are exceptions to be made.
The clover on a particular field may have
failed or it may have become apparent, in
time for sowing corn, that the hay crop is
going to be short. The farmer, therefore,
will lind il convenient with regard to certain
fields. not to have his mind unalterably made
up till as late as the end Of June. To what
extent corn fodder is destined to take th,
place Of hay we are not certain. That i
affords an excellent fall feed for dairy pur-
poses there can be no doubt and il is nearl,
ascertained that il may, on some farms a
least, be proftably grown for winter fodder
Much must Of course depend on the charac
ter Of the farm and something We suppos'
may depend upon the season we can se'
no reason why, in case Of the prospect beinl
dark at the end Of June for fall and winte
food, the farmer who has land fit for th
purpose. should not thrust in few acres 70
corn fodder, when otherwise he would not
70 be fed out in early autumn or to be cure,
for wintor, as the case may seem 10 require
The merchant turns quickly in an emer
gency. To a limited extent, very limite
we confess, and yet not 50 limited as to b
: unimportant, the farmer, for aught We ca
see, may do the same. We advise farmer
10 look at this matter.