Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Fodder Corn.

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notice in the FARMER of May % the
experience Of Maine farmer in raising iod-
der corn. wish to relate the practice of a
Vermont farmer in the same direction.
Judge Il. A. Parks, of Passumpsic, is sue
cessful dairyman. He keeps about twenty
cows, aud he makes fodder corn specially
He has river farm and formerly raised
from five to seven acres Of corn per year. A
few years since he planted a small piece of
corn for fodder as an experiment, cutting
and feeding it green to his cows. Pleased
with tho result he has decreased his corn
crop to about one acre, and increased his
fodder crop to five or six acres per year.
He cultivates nearly the same as our Maine
friend. Uses what he needs to feed green,
but much the largest portion is cut when in
just the right state to contain the most nour.
ishment, binds in small bundles, and when
properly cured, stores as other fodder. Feeds
one bundle at each meal, three times day,
with other feed, largely rowen, until Janua.
ry, When he wishes to dry off his cows be
stops the corn and roweu and feeds other
fodder, and he has no trouble in drying his
COWS, He needs no coloring for his winter
butter while feeding his fodder corn. He
plants an early kind Of sweet corn. He
saves his own seed instead Of paying four or
Eve dollars per bushel for seed that will not
half grow. The amount planted in this
county has more than doubled within two
years and is increasing rapidly.
JONATHAN LAWRENCE.
PaSSumpSic, VI.
TThe reports Of facts aud actual operatio ms
on the farm, similar TO the above, are what
the farmers want TO assist them in directing
farming matters and deciding what crops to
raise. There is less difference Of opinion
than formerly as to the valSe of fodder corn
Few who have raised it as it should be
raised and made fair trial of it for sum
mer or winter food doubt its value. We
omitted to say in paragraph on the subject
in issue of May 2Sth that the quantity Of seed
should be varied according to the purpose
for which 1t is to be used and the kind OF
corn. A very coarse, rank-growing kind
and that intended for winter use should be
sown much thinner than smaller variety,
or when it is to be cut up green, before the
formation Of ears for summer feeding. In
either Of the latter cases twelve kernels to
the foot may be put in. We hope no one
will be misled by our omission to treat more
fully Of the amount of seed.
We would be glad if Judge Parks would
give detailed account of his manner ol
raising, including the quantity and kind Of
manure, and how applied, how sown-iu
drills or broadcast--and how much seed and
method of cultivation. Also at what stage
Of its growth he considers that it is in the
right state to contain the most nourishment
We have sown our own fodder corn this
season with corn planter made by th'
Ames Plow Co., using slide that would droE
five kernels to the hill once in three feet
Put in two extra pins so that it dropped
twice as many hills, and the kernels of sweet
corn being shriveed and smaller than thos'
Of the varieties of field corn commonly plant
ed here, about twice as many kernels were
dropped to the hill. They appeared, as thu
planter was in operation, to be scattered Ovel
the whole length Of the drill. The plante
drops plaster and ashes also. 1t was grea
saving Of labor When the corn is all Vi
We will report the result for the benefit o
the readers Of the FARMER.