The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-11-06

same stock mentioned. The twenty
acrss should yield him his thousand
bushels. Of .cofh; before purchased, and
the stalks, cut up and saved In the
proper condition, would make up the
deficiency Of hay. The labor, consid-
ing 3ll mGee circumstances, would not
sg ss (d ae i. sea yet e Be- r ss,t
This farther, even at stIe West. With
corn at Twenty-Five cents Would betwo
hundred and fifty dollars ahead. The
extra manure made valuable by this
system would 90 far toward keeping up
the fertility of his land Let the ques-
ton be modestly asked, if there is not
limit to the seeding of farms to grass?
A little thought on this subject for
every farmer might not he .unprotit-
able. =.
~ What is the best, method of treating
corn stalks? Taking the established
practice of the best farmers as guide,
it is to cut the corn just as soon as it is
well glazed, and while the stalks are
greeii and itnffoEei1 shocking it securely
to cure. When cured, house, if posi-
BILE; il. not, stack, SO as to preserve it
and make it CONVENIENT for winter use.
A large portion can be fed without
husking; often direct from the field
shocks, when needed. Even store hogs
will eat largely of the stalks during the
winter, thus keeping their stomachs
well distended, to promote grass-eating
the following summer. This point is
not often referred to, but it deserves
special notice. 1t is generally conceded
that unhusked corn is better for cattle
than the clean ear, when corn is to be
fed whole.
The treatment of stalks as fertilizer
is not as well established. With the
large Western sulky plow they can be
plowed under in the fall while in valu-
able condition: When this is resorted
to, it should be done as early as posi-
BILE. There is another method not gen
orally known, that has been found ex-
tremely successful 1t is to cut down
the stalks early with stalk-cutter, and
allow them to remain on the surface to
the following spring. 1t was found by
experiment that the stalks, under the
influence of the snow and rain, became
quite well rotted, and the substance
seemed to permeate the ground in a
highly favorable manner. BY this
treatment the assimilation with the
soil was perfected even sooner than Ly
blowing under in the fall. The ex-
pertinent is recommended to further
thus cut and left on the surface, cattle
would forage among them more pro-
titably than among the dry stalks left
standing. They appeared to do bet;
ter, and, though it is not recommended
to any one to rely much on field feed
ing of stalks in winter, yet it is we'll to
utilize such feed when it can be done.
1t affords even Mulch cows a healthy
exercise, and gives them a little variety.
In feeding stalks it would be well to
cut them. If the opportunity of fine
cutting be not presented, they can be
cut from six to twelve inches to advan-
tage.1 Cattle will eat them better, and
the refuse is easier handled in the ma
nure pile. The stubs and refuse can be
first used as bedding. They absorb
much liquid manure, which is too often
wasted, though known to be nearly as
valuable as the solid.
1t might be expected that word
should be said of the objection to the
use of corn stalks, and the prejudices
against Them The labor of handling is
often urged. 1t has some force. They
are bulky and forbidding to the touch,
particularly when tangled together. If
kept straight, SO as to be taken in lay
ers, even when unbound, this objection
is much reduced. Binding makes them
still more convenint. The labor comes
in season which is not SO hurried,
and can be done cheaply. Taking the
season into consideration, and the rela-
tive price of labor, the expense is no
greater than the handling of hay.
Some urge the want Of buildings for
storage. But by properly slowing them
away less room is required than is gen.
orally supposed. They can be stacked
so as to open but small section at a
time, and taken off in nice layers.
Sweet corn stalks are, of course, more
valuable, and there is less disposition
to waste them. This article is intend
ed, however, to cover the ordinary
stalks, even the large Western, which,
though bulky, is quite eatable when
properly handled.
Is it too much to conclude that there
is a leak and a loss among the major
lily of farmers and dairymen by neg
lect of corn stalks, and that it would be
a source of much profit to all to apply
the thoughtful, prudent methods in
their treatment and use, increasing the
bookkeeping power, and enhancing
the value of the land?-T. H. B., n,
american D1iyU7nu7l, z..+.