The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-01-20
agricultural department.
CONDUCTED BY ALBERT CHAPMAN.
Sawed Corn Tor Nm.cr Forage

sowed Corn tor Win:cr Forage.
Having sown corn for winter forage
more or less for % years past, and as we
sowel considerable during the past season
at different times, it occurred to me that
some one would be benefited by such past
experience, inasmuch as those already
answering such questions about sowed
corn have left out some important items.
In all my experience iiud that drilled
corn does the best, it being much the
test way ia all respects. After the land
is well httta, take onc horse and plow
uul make shallow !urrOw once in three
icet as straight as possible. | then take
pail Of corn on one arm and sow with
ouc hand nearly as fast as | can walk,
aud put on in this way nearly two bushels
per acre. then cover the seed with q
harrow, first lengthwise, then across,
leaving the land in fine filth. When the
corn is four or five iuches high, take the
cultivator, remove one hind tooth and one
side tooth on the other side narrow it up,
and then pass once in a row, then once a
week for four or five times, and when
there is no fear of frost leave it uncut till
it ripcns little or has stopped growing,
but always cut before frost. Ii you have
a reaper, cut with that, but find some
always laid down by the wind, and that
the common corn knife is the best Lay
in small hundes--so small that when
wilted you can clasp them with the two
hands aud have the fingers touch. This
is importantly
TO hasten the drying, these unbound
bundles may be turned over. Some rain
will not hurt it, unless very dry. In
two to FIVE days bind, using the smallest
stalks. Shock in small shocks, so the air
may penetrate through the whole, tie the
top, and if any blow down see that they
are put up at once, and after a little
while two or three more shocks can 90
together, which is good plan they can
stand out till winter sets in; then in a
cool, dry day, draw and stack in small
round stacks, near where they are to be
fed out, or so that one or two stacks may
be put in the barn for immediate use, as
it is exceedingly dangerous for the good
quality of the feed to put in large bulk,
unless well cured The past season we
have sowed several acres treated as above
stated, on which four horses and two
cows are winteriug without hay. On the
first week in June, half an acre was put
in which grew TO the height Of from five
to eight feet, with some ripe ears, and
ngain the last Of June, another piece was
put in, attaining four to six feet high, nc
ears; made fne feed and cured well, and
was stacked in fne condition. Again, on
july 10TH another piece i'll young Or
chard. being quite green and still grow.
ing when cut on this the shocks were
opened and turned TO facilitate the cur.
lug, and remains looking green, but will
keep Here let me say use five to six
quarts of salt load when stacking)
Again, on the 9th day OF August, two
acres more were sown, and Of course was
growing fast when cut, being two to three
feet high. Also this was cut with corn
knife, laid in small gavels, turned 9th or
9Th day, and when well wlted, drawn in
loose and put overhead in the barn with
salt sprin& led on each course) Not more
than fifteen inches thick Of stalks in any
place was allowed. 1t is keeping in
splendid style; fit for any horse or COW,
even at $4,000 head.
IF farmers would pay more attention
to sowing corn and saving it for winter,
more butter would be made to supply a
dear market and they could 60 through
to spring with more hay in the barn, and
the usual cry of short hay crop would
be 20 more. BY the above facts, you see
crop Of corn can be had after peas and
carly potatoes and even the old meadow
after moving can be plowcd, and then
grow more corn feed than it had produces
hay and thus it is clear that there is nc
excuse for a farmer to be out of winter
forage OF the best quality. Even the
wheat stubble may be plowed and sown
to corn, while at the same time nothing
surpasses it for summer foilng, especial.
y when pastures are short and dried up.
BY sowing early, the first may be fed
out, and the same land sown again-re.
ncmberlne always that rich or well ma.
nured land bring. the hes, return icr
your labor, aud well fed cows make the
most butter, and plenty OF sowed corn
Will enable any one to feed well.
E. W. HARRINGroN.
On'a-io County. n Y