The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-23
farm aud Garden.
Pulling Fodder.

fodder, but in the upper half OF the cot
ton belt the work is yet in the immediate
future 1t is now in order to discuss the
old question whether it pays to pull fod
der. Usually the answer to this is made
to depend largely upon the amount of in
Jury to the grain caused by removing the
blades at the time it must be done in or
der to save them for fodder. Many ex-
periments of practical character have
been made to determine the amount OIL
this injury and also the proper time.to
pull fodder in order to avoid iniuring
+ the grain. We have none of these ex-
periments at hand, but the weight of the
evidence is to the effect that where corn
is properly cultivated the blades may be
removed with far less injury to the corn
than the value of the fodder secured
According to our own observation the in
jury amounts, practically, to nothing, if
the operation is delayed until the corn
has passed into the hardening stage and
the bottom blades have commenced to
brown and dry, indicating the approach
ing natural death of the plant. 1t is not
proper to determine the time to pull the
quantity of the fodder If we did this
we should probably perform the work
while the tassels and silks are still fresh
and before the ear is fully developed.
At least this is the rule in cutting nearly
all the grasses for hay-cut while in
bloom and before the seeds are formed.
An idea prevails among many farmers
that fodder undergoes sort of ripeniaao
process. We often hear them say that
of such field Of corn that the fodder is
or is not ripe, as the case may be, refer
ring to chemical changes in the blades
themselves, analogous to the ripening of
fruits, etc. This is only true in the sense
that there is particular period of the
growth of the plant when its blades land
stalk will make the most nutritious fod-
der. But, as we have intimated, this
rlpeness is probably attained long before
the usual time of pulling fodder, and,
thereafter, the process is one Of constant
deterioration until the blades dry up"
on the stalk. The time for pulling fod-
der, then, should be determined by the
TlpeneSS OF the ears of corn, and should
be delayed until it can be done without
material injury.
is matter of common observation that
the blades will usually remain green
until the grains of corn are more or less
hard. The browning and loosening of the
shuck-a good indication of the ripening
OF the ear-generally occurs before there
IS any serious loss Of blades by drying.
On the contrary, on old, worn upland
particularly when a drouth is prevailing
the blades will often burn" while the
grain is still in the roasting ear condition.
This difference is due to the want of veg
etable matter, or humus, in the latter
4 case, and It's comparative abundance in
the former case. Clean and regular cul-
ture, also, has the effect of prolonging the.
vitality Of the blades and fastening the
maturity of the ears.
Some agricultural writer's insist that
IN view of injury to the ear, which they
claim is always the result of removing
the blades, but especially on account OF
the heavy labor and meager results, f. d.
der pulling should be abolished. We are
not prepared to accept this conclusion
without qualification Whether farmer
should follow the practice, should, III
every case, depend upon the cfrcum
stances surrounding him. IF farmer
can make more money or gather more
food In some other way, Of course he
ought to pursue that other way. We
agree, entirely, with those who insist
that 1t is cheaper and better to provide
hay and forage from other sources. An
acre OF any good grass or millet will make
ten times as much hay as an average acre
OF corn will yield of fodder, and with not
more than twice the labor in harvesting
But If the farmer has not provided the
grass meadow, millet or orther suitable
nay crop; or if these should prove fail.
ure from any cause; or if it is possible to
save all, corn blades, grass, hay, ETC., he
should do it. This is according to the
principle that penny saved is penny,
made. f'""J
An average acre of upland corn will
produce, say 200 pounds of cured blades
AN "A average hand will harvest and put in
'he stack or barn the blades from two
acres, or 400 pounds of fodder. This At
one dollar per hundred, is worth four
dollars. When it is considered that it
costs nothing to grow the blades (their
production being incidental to that of a
corn crop, it will be seen at once there
Is quite large margin between the cost
Oh days labor of hand and the value
OIL the result. Even at so cents per hun