The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-11-14
Corn Versus Grass.

AT this time, when the subject of en-
silage is getting thoroughly sifted, and
its advantages criticised and doubted,
the same spirit has taken hold of the
whole subject, and King Corn sees
rebellious spirit abroad in his domin-
ions. Our readers very well know that
while we are believer in corn as
feed, Just as we are believer in bone
and in ashes as manures, we have never
approved of corn alone, either the fod-
der or grain, as an exclusive feed for
any kind of farm stock, from horses
down to hens. Too many writers are
discussing this subject, as they discuss
so many others, from this exclusive
and unintelligent point of view, and
they seem to think, especially as re-
CARDS ensilage, that when it is shown
that some unwise advocates have
claimed too much for it, they have
demonstrated its inutility.
Nothing pleased us more, at our last
Dairymen's meeting, than the strength
and intelligence with which this sub
iect was discussed. On the practical
side Mr.. Hazen and on the scientific
side Professor Cooke, ably maintained
every just claim that has been made in
behalf of the corn plant, and both de-
clared it to be the cheapest and most
profitable food that the Vermont farmer
can grow, if he knows how to use it.
There is no use in trying to disguise
the fact that on the subject of feeding
stock, as well as on the subject of feed
ing our crops, there is vast amount of
unintelligence, not to say laundering
stupidity, among the men most inter-
ested in understanding their business
in these particulars. And because
these men don't know, and cannot, or
will not, learn facts well known to 9TH
ers, and easily learned by all, we have
a good deal of very bad and unprofit-
able practice in the daily work of the
farm.
Hay made from our best mixed grasses
and clover is very perfect food for
stock, just as stable manure is a COM
plete plant food. Stock can be fed with
the one and crops fed with the other,
with good, if not with the very best, re-
suits. What is here stated is not true
of any single grass, and perhaps as little
true of our largest grass, corn, as of
any that we cultivate. There is no
more sense in Directing to corn on this
account than there would be in object
ing to corn. bread as human food. AS
we feel the need of fat pork and even
molasses along with our baked beans,
so we feel that we must have meat
along with bread. The cravings of
nature lead us Alright, and all the man
of science can do, as the result Of
study, is to explain the why and where
fore of it.
Plainly, corn Cor potatoes, as well as
several other valuable foods,) does not
fully supply all that the bodies of men
or animals require. Something must
go with them to "balance them up"
Our stock in the pastures will hunt out
and select what instinct tells them is
needed to " balance their rations -: but
when they are tied up they can't do it:
and if those whose business it is to
feed them don't know how to do it fol
them, they won't do well. Young men
study this thingl There is money in
it every time; and in fact, close bust.
ness as farming is, there is no money
without knowing, either by rote or by
reason, how this business must be done
We are led to these remarks by read.
ing an article in the Maine Farmer
which we print in another place, under
the same heading as this article. We
print it to show how good farmer
Numbered for lack of knowledge which
he ought to have been taught in youth
put 10
even now, in any school to which a
farmer is likely to have gone. Let us
look into the matter. Corn, even the
whole crop, stalk, blades, grain and
cob, does not contain full and rightly.
balanced nutriment for cows in milk
1t contains too much of the carb
hydrates Starch and sugar. and toe
little-far too little-of the heterogeneous
element. What is the result? Prob
ably the result is that only that part OF
the carbohydrates which is required tC
go with the very insufficient protein, OF
heterogeneous element, is used at all il
the animals body. The rest goes ou
in the dung and is utterly wasted, fol-
the carbohydrates have no manuria
value. 1t would be abusive and unjust
to call Mr.. Howe fool" He il
probably as bright as the average, ant
may be brighter. He "meant well.
1. 4 1.~5N T..