Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-07-11
SOWING CORN FOR FODDER

In answer to an inquiry the Country Gen
Heman says:
We have cultivated corn fodder sor many
years, and find it all things considered the
most profitable crop we can raise 1t may
be sown during the comparative season of
leisure just alter corn planting, and secur.
ed at the next season Of leisure lust after
haying and harvesting. After repeatedly
cropping the same ground, VIC are satisfied
that it enriches more than impovcrishes the
land, no grain being formed, and vast
bed of roots remaining. Nothing is equal
to it for reducing rough, turfy, wccdy
land, 10 state Of cleanliness. and good
tilth. We believe it the best fallow CROP
in the world, to precedc wheat.
HShould neUer be soton broadcast. The
imperfectons of this mode are the chief
reasons that the crop has not become more
generally introduced 1t requires more
seed, and leaves the ground in a fouler
condition than whep sown in plowed drills.
We have tried both ways TO our entire
satisfaction as to the comparative value of
each. The following is the best mode for
sowing, cultivating, and securing the crop
Flow and harrow the ground rs for any
other crops lurrow it with one horse
plow, three feet apart let man pass
along one of those drills with half bushcl
basket on his left arm containing shelled
corn, and strew the seed in the furrow at
the rate of about 40 or 80 grains to foot,
which will be about % or bushels per
acre. He will do this evenly with little
practice, as fast as he can walk If sowed
thiner, the crop will be smaller. We have
found by accurately weighing and mcasur-
ing, that 20 grains to the foot yielded only
two'thirds the crop afforded by 40 grains
10 the foot. Immediately after the sower,
follows q man with onc-horsc harrow or
cultivator or with a two-horse harrow,
Gengtb,CiSe 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
,ho rows. This is all the dressing the crop
needs. No hoeiDg is necessary, for the
dense growth soon smothers down all else F.;
and in the autumn, when the crop is cut off,
,kl, =, l>c4 Il II
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, common scythc will
answer the purpose, little practice en-
abling 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, although raking by horse
into reveral winrowsfor cocks, might
answer well for large fields. Itmust dry
some weeks. 1t can never be safely put
into large stacks. The most perfect way
would be to place it in small stacks or long
upright rows, under large shed. Even
ii the stalks appear perfectly cured after
several weeks exposure, they will certainly
heat and spoil if stacked in the ordinary
way, Hence, the st cks must be quite
small, freely sailed, and well ventilated by
means of them or four poles placed upright
in the center. We have found the stalk 10
retain good condition when left in large,
we'll made shocks on the field, till wanted
in winter. Curing is the only difficulty
with this crop, and this ceases when unde =
stood.
Land that will yield thirty bushels Of
corn to the acre, will afford about fgc ionS
of dried fodder. Moist land is better than
very dry, as it is more affected by drowth
than ordinary corn crops. We have not
found the cost, including interest on the
land, to exceed 81 so per ten for the dried
fodder.
For soiling, or feeding green, corn fod-
der often proves the highest value, when
pastures are burned by drowth. For this
purpose, it may be sown at different peri
ods I'LL midsummer.
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