Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-09-23
TOPPING CORN.

1OEF1NG CORN.
We find each locality adhering to the prac-
tees which have prevailed in it from time
immemorial. In the eastern part Of this
State, for instance, the practice of cutting the
top stalks of corn has gained so strong
foot>hold that it may be said TO be we'll nigh
universal, while if We visit the western part
of the State, VIC find in many localities, at
least, the practice almost equally prevalent,
of cutting up from the root and shocking
We were brought up to top the corn, and
we always supposed it to be, on the whole,
the best method. But after learning the
statements of those who had always been &C.
custoDed to different method, and the rea-
sons therefor, We were inclined TO think we
were wrong, and that the practice Of shock
ing had many advantages over that of top
ping. 1t has been tried by many farmers a.
an experiment, in this part of the State, bul
either from not being accustomed to it, and
SO oil making more of it than there was any
need Of 1t has generally been abandoned for
the old method Of topping. We are still in>
cIined to think, however, that cutting W
from the root and stocking has the greater
advantages, and that, If our farmers VIII
lave been accustomed to top corn all then
hYes, would try it long enough to get accus
toned to it, they would be slow to 60 back
TO the old method.
Allen, III his american Farm Book" says:
"The stalks of corn ought never to be GU,
above the ear, but always near the ground
and for this obvious reason: the san which
nourlshes the grain is drawn from the earth
and passing through the stem enters the
leaf. where change IS effected analogous to
what takes place in the blood, when brought
to the surface OF the lungs IN the animal sys-
TEN but with this peculiar difference, how
ever, that while the blood gives out carbon
and supplies oxygen, plants, under the inau-
elce OF light and heat, give out oxygen and
absorb carbon. This change prepares the
sap foI condensation and conversion into the
grain. But the leaves which thus digest the
food for the grain are above it, and it is while
passing downward that the change Of sap in
to grain principally takes place. If the stalks
be cut above the car nourishment is at al
Ind. 1t may then become firm and dry bur
it will not increase in quantity, while, if ca
near the root it not only appropriates the saI
already in the plant but it also absorbs add
,ional matter from the atmosphere, which
contributes to its weight'ard protection"
As already stated, many experiments have
been made to test the comparative advanta
ges Of the two methods. but so Ear as we
know they all tend to the same results, that
is, gain from five to ten bushels to the acre
gained from cutting from the root and stook-
ing, over topping. Mr.. Clark, of Northamp-
ton, in this State, who tried the thing with
great care, found that an acre of topped corn
lost from six to eight bushels of grain by the
process, while the loss of stover was also
very considerable.
The most experienced farmers are careful
to secure the whole Of the stover and they
would regard this topping process as great
and unnecessary waste of a valuable feeding
substance, as much SO as f they ehouId at
tempt to secure their crop of timothy hay by
topping"
There is, perhaps, little greater labor in
husking corn cut and stocked in this way
But that is, after ALL a small objection, COM
pared with the advantages arising from this
method.
We think it pays to cut corn fodder with
the bay cutter before feeding out. 1t is more
completely eaten up while the convenience
resulting from it in handling the manure is
very considerable. Corn fodder seasonably
harvested and properly stored is of great val
ne for feeding through the winter.-MaSs
Ploughman,