Connecticut western news., 1873-08-01
Farm, Garden and Household,
Value of Corn Fodder.

Value of Corn Fodder.
 Dr. Nichols, in Journal of Chen1is- try, says ]; 's The opinion we have al- ways held upon the question of the value of green corn fodder for milch COWS has been that when raised for broadcast sowing it is nearly worthless, but when sown in hills or in drills, and cultivated, with access of air and sum- light, it is of high value. During the present season we have made some ex- perlments to test the correctness of these views. Stalks were collected from field where the seed was sown broadcast, and also stalks growing in drills upon the same field, and they , were dried in 8 drying closet. to expel the moisture. Both specimens were planted at the same time (the 9th of May), and 1t was found that the broad cast sowing contained 92 per cent. of water, those from drills .83 per cent. of water. Thus it was shown that the diff ference of solid matter in the two was relatively as 8 to IT per cent. The solid matter was composed of starch, gum, sugar, and woody fibre. There was al most an entire absence of sugar and gum in the stalks from the broadcast sowing, while the stalks that had grown under the influence of light and air held these nutrient principles, in con- siderable quantities. The stalks were collected at the period of growth just before the ear begins to form, 8 period when most farmers begin to cut the fodder for their COWS. Our experiments upon corn fodder have afforded us i'm portant information upon other points, We find that the stalks cut before they reach certain stage of growth are def- clent Tn nutrient matter, and therefore 1t IS a waste to feed them too early. The corn plant like all other vegetable structures, has but one object or aim in its growth, and that is to produce seed. It is engaged during it's whole life in storing up large quantities of starch, which IS to be used when the pressing occasion arrives, or the seed vessels ma ture, to form by some subtle, mysteri- ous changes the rich nutrient principles which are found in seeds. As soon as this struggle is over, the corn plant, like all annuals, dies natural death. It is not necessary for frost to strike it it dies from simple exhaustion. The proper time to cut and feed corn-stalks IS during the four or five weeks which succeed inhorescence, or in other words, they should not be cut until the flower Is fairly developed, and the ear com mences to form and any corn that is so planted that the ear cannot form and mature, is practically worthless as fod- der. Farmers may learn from these facts that corn designed to be cut fol fodder should be planted at two o1 three periods during the season some fields quiet early, others somewhat later and still others as late as is safe. In this way, when the hot, dry months oi July and August are reached, and the pastures falter, 8 supply of fodder is secured at proper stage of growth tc afford the lars sest amount of nutriment
 Feeding Grain to Farm Stock.
 Grain feed to fowls is received in the "crop" or first stomach, where, mingled with small pebbles, 1t is soaked anG ground, then passes into the second stomach and intestines, snd is thor oughly digested. No grain ever passes through the body of healthy domestic fowl ln a whole, unground condition and, therefore, it is safe to say that nc great gain can be made in grinding ol cooking grain for poultry.
 But we know from experience tha oats, corn, &c., will pass nearly hun dred feet to the small stomach and in testlnes of the horse and be found il the manure as whole grain Hence careful farmers will not feed oats while the1r teams are preparing fields fo barley, and quack, daisy and other seed are sown by horse manure over clear fields. and farms. This whole grain ca, be soaked and softened, or finely ground and part of 1t will be absorbed as i passes along the intestines, leaving lit tie but refuse matter in the manure But 1t seems reasonable that the grail fed to horse at one meal, and movins through the intestines measurably b. itself, preceded and followed by masse of hay, on which only small portion o the absorbents of chyle can act at once will be of less benefit than if mixed wit the whole mass of hay, so that in al portions of the bowels where hay i there is also rich grain food to be ab sorbed and carried into the blood. Tn assertion is probably true that two thirds of the meal mixed with cut ant moistened hay is better than the whol fed separately and unground. But wit all ruminants or cud chewing animal this separate feeding of grain or meal peculiarly unfortunate.
 How to Make Root Beer.
 A good rooJ-beer is a desirable thin in the hot days of summer, not only fo slaking thirst but also because of it utility as tonic. This is the way t make the real, old-fashioned brew Take spruce boughs, black-birch bark sarsaparilla, winter-green leaves, sassa fras, yellow dock, and dandelion roots boil together in large kettle, with
 handful of hops and two quarts of whea bran, and two quarts of molasses When boiled enough-two hours or s strain throngh sieve, cool, and ad pint of yeast. If not very sweet to tn taste, add more ,aolasses. Let it wor over night, and bottle. Secure tn corks tightly, and it will foam vel The same can be made in larger quar titles, and put into fifteen-gallon cash and worked from the bung-hole for
 faw days hut if will mt fooro co ,ro1 o