Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1889-09-14
CORN AND


summary of the New York Experiment
stations Latest Report.
The New York Experiment Station
has been studying the corn plant with
a view of throwing light upon the best
time of putting it in the silo. This is
a very important question in view OF
the increasing use of ensilage, AS a
result of this experiment the follow
ing conclusions are probable:
/. That the greatest weight OF green
fodder seems to have been at about the
period Of the full silking OF the ears.
2. That the total weight diminished
after this date, but the total dry mat
ter increased.
g.. That the total nitrogen does not
appear to increase after the ears silk,
A.. That as the orn approaches ma
turity the per cent. Of amide nitrogen
diminishes, while the albuminoid
nitrogen increases, thus seemingly in
creasing the feeding value of the crop.
5. That the sugars and starch in
crease rapidly during the latter period
of growth and maturing of the corn
plant, and that these are the most val
liable portion of the nitrogen-free ex-
tract.
6. That for the greatest amount Of
nutriment, considered from a chemical
standpoint, corr should not be cut be-
fore it has reached the milk stage OF
the kernel.
In France the plant is known as lu-
cerne and in Spain as alfalfa 1t is
grown quite extensively in Southern
Europe. From Spain alfalfa was in
troduced into South America and
thence by way of Mexico to Califor-
MIA, where it still retains the Spanish
name alfalfa. While in California and
many Of the Western and Southern
States it is grown quite extensively, it
has never been much cultivated in the
Northern States. In the Eastern States
it was introduced from Europe and is
generally known as lucerne.
The result of the station experience
with lucerne or alfalfa Is summarized
as follows:
1. Lucorne Or alfalfa may be sue
~cessfully grown in Northern States,
2. When once established it thrives
well upon clay land but will probably
do better upon good light loan,
3. Seed two years old loses its Vi
tality and fails to terminate. Un-
doubtedly many of the failures to Sc
cure a stand of plants may be traced
to poor seed.
4. The seeded must be well pre-.
pared, and, in this latitude, it seems
best to plant out the seed in the spring
and with no other crop. The seed
should be lightly covered by rolling
the ground.
5. For seven successive years at the
station three and four cuttings per
year have been taken from the plats.
s.. Last year, the sixth in succession
the plats yielded more than fifteen ton:
per acre of green forage, equal to 81
tons of alfalfa hay.
Z. Alfalfa should be cut in early
bloom, before the plants become woody
s. 1t should be cured largely in TIL,
cock to produce the best quality o
hay.
9. By chemical analysis the hay wa,
found to be more heterogeneous thar
good red clover.
10. Cattle. sheep and horses all rel
ished the hay, and seemed to do well
II. It was found to be more digesti
BILE than red clover hay.
II. II farmers would try this crop
we advise them to begin with a small
piece of well-prepared land, in ordei
to see whether alfalfa does as well will
them as it has at the station.
IS. Probably success with alfalf;
will depend largely upon having fresf
seed. a good, carefully prepared seed
bed, and in covering the seed light,
with soil.