The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-06-15

palatable. When the opinion prevailed tina,
the leaf and stalks were the more desirable
parts and the grain of little consequence
southern varieties were largely cultivated
The seed was much of it sown broadcast Oh
very thickly i'll drills.
On both of these points there has been E
change of opinion, one the natural out
growth of the other.
It. is now generally believed that the more
mature the grain while the stalk remains
green, the better the ensiage will be. ST
that early maturing varieties are now con-
sidered most valuable. To obtain mature
corn, there must be more room for each
plant, so thinner seeding is now practiced.
WHEN TO CUT CORN.
For some years corn was put into the silo
when very green. We now know that to
make ensilage OF greatest value, the corn
should be more mature. The practice among
those most successful with the silo, is TO cut
when the grain is beginning to glaze.
WHEN AND HOW TO PLANT.
We sow with the Vandiver corn planter,
in drills three feet nine inches apart, using
about II quarts of seed to the acre, and cul
tivate thoroughly during the growing sea-
son.
While very large yields per acre of ensi-
lage corn are frequently reported, an exper-
fence of some years leads me to infer that
these large yields are based on estimates,
rather than actual weighings. l am of the
opinion that 90 tons to the acre is an excep.
tionaily large yield. We have had some
very good crops but have never exceeded
that weight per acre From the 10th to the
this State
FILLING THE SILO
Various methods of cutting corn and
drawing it have been suggested. No one is
probably always the best. Some use reaper,
cutting one row at time We have cut
our corn by hand, and have found driving
the wagon close along the row and cutting
not more than two rows at time, so as to
avoid carrying any distance, and having
the men cutting place each arrnful directly
on the wagon, never laying it on the ground
to require second handling, the most sat
sfactory,
We have always kept man in the slo
sometimes two or three when student help
has been plenty) to keep the ensilage evenly
leveled and packed solidly. l am aware
that some writers seem to think this careful,
solid packing unnecessary; but | am con-
WINGED, after years of experience, that when
this has been attended to most carefully,
everything else being equal, we have had
the best ensilage. 1t Is well to throw the
cool ensilage from the corners and about the
walls of silo into the center and replace it
with that which is warmest, thus preserving
an even temperature.
1 should always advise cutting the corn.
Some have practiced putting it in the silo
without, but the long stocks do not pack as
closely as when cut in half or three.quarter
inch lengths, and there is more danger of
injury to the ensilage while it is much
more troublesome to take the long stalks
from the si!o. think it, will be rare to find
anyone who has practiced both methods,
who will favor filling with the uncut stalks
Glover may be placed in the sio without
cutting.
THE WEIGHING OF THE ENSILAGE.
In the early history of the silo heavy
weighing of the ensilags was used as an es-
sential detail to secure good product. More
extended experience has modified our views
on this point. Now many of our experienced
silo men think that no weight is needed and
that covering with foot of cut straw or
hay is all that is necessary.