Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-06-25


Give me good corn fodder meal and shorts
fed with it, and can make more and "a better
quality Of milk than l can with the same
quantity of grain with hay" This is the tes-
timony of Mr.. Wilbur, the proprietor of the
well-known "LeMont Farm near Newport,
X. l., aud it is i'll general the testimony Of
all farmers who have made thorough trials of
the feeding of fodder corn, in diaries where
the manufacture of milk il the leading object
There has been, in previous years, some con-
troversy as to the value of corn stalks or fod-
der corn, mot exactly one and the same thing
however but it has come to be quite gen
orally settled now, and settled in favor Of fod-
der corn as Il most useful green feeding crop
But it has also been settled that, so far as the
growing of this crop is concerned, it must be
planted III drills and not sown broadcast, as
has sometimes been the practice These
drills must be at least twenty inches apart, in
order that sunlight and air may have free ac-
cess to the growing plants, for where sown
broadcast, the corn while growing does not
obtain sufficient sun to mature or sweeten its
juices, and hence, is not desirable for food.
Or as it is put by the vegetable psychologists,
all plants depend for their healthy growth and
nutrition upon what is termed actinic light
and heat and upon access of air, and any
plant which in its growth, is deprived of
these agencies, is abnormal and not suited
for the food of animals Actual feeding ex-
periments-the results of which have lately
been given by Prof. Goessmann-tend to
prove that in green fodder corn there are in
a dgestble form 73 per cent. of the nitrogen
GUS matter, % per cent. of the fat, 81 per
cent of the non nitrogenous matter, and ~
per cent of the celluloso or cellular matter.
The rate of digestibility would be from 1G to
20 per cent less in the dried state of the fod-
der and the fodder from the sweet varieties
is of far higher feeding value pound for
pound, over the yellow sorts, on account OF
the to ~ per cent. of sugar which it con-
tains.
Orchard grass, Hungarian and rye are used
in considerable amount for green fodder pur-
poses, and they have some advantages in this
respect. But sweet corn is better than either,
If properly sown in drills, because il is easily
| cultivated, may be planted at intervals as
deemed best throughout the season, and is
more conveniently cut and handled when
wanted for the use of the stock. There is a
disadvantage over the Others in curing it ;or
| winter use, but our remarks have sole refer.
ence to its use in the green condition. Corn
drills, for fodder purposes, may be sown up
| to the middle or last of July at intervals OF
| two weeks and the farmer may at any sow.
ing take advantage of the peculiarities of the
season to SOW more or less, on dry land OIL
moist, as the occasion warrants. By this
means he is able to supplement the short
| pastures of late summer, or to provide for g
| deficiency of the hay crop from certain fields,
which the changes of the season may make
| probable. Taking advantage of these pc
| culiarities will allow him to secure the com
| fort and health of his stock, and enhance his
! own prohts.-N Il. Farmer.