The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-21
SAVE THE CORN FODDER.
Tho Aericulturist of the Virginia Agricul.
tural College Station Tells How to Do II.

Only i'll few instances in the vast
area over which it is cultivated docs
the farmer think the fodder-lcavcs,
stalks and husks or sllucks-of sufficient
value to warrant any considerable out
lay to either house it or otherwise pro-
tect it from the action of winds aid
rain. BY this neglect chemists and prac-
teal feeders assert that fully 90 per
cent OF tho value Of the fodder is lost,
owing to portions being actually broken
OF and blown away; also by bleaching
and by decay where portions touch the
ground or become matted together by
moisture. In other sections, to be sure,
the grower pulls the leaves while they
are still green, dries and ties in bun
dies, storing away for winter use This
is all very well for tho leaves so gath
cred, but is open to objection in several
ways. To begin with, the cost is great
requiring much time to properly gather
and house them. The greater loss, how
ever, is i'll the parts that remain in tho
field. What is to be done with the rest
of tho plant? The ear may be and usual
ly is pulled and afterward shucked, but
we have still left tho stalks with por-
lions Of the leaves not gathered These
stalks remain and are looked upon us
anything but q blessing. They must be
cut, piled and burned or continue q
nuisance in the soil for an entire sea-
son, for if they arc plowed under they
arc continually in the way of after cul-
tivation. Probably the prevailing idea
that corn fodder cannot be stored be-
cause of the decay induced by moisture
OF tho stalk has stood in the way of its
larger use. Without doubt there is some
thing i'll this, but we have found little
difficulty i'll packing fodder away i'll
barns if it is allowed to euro we'll and
is stored when perfectly free from mois-
turo caused by rain or dew This is alb
solutely essential.
Few realize the great value of corn
fodder as food. This part of the crop
is generally considered comparatively
worthless, but more than 90 per cent of
the crude protein and 90 per cent of the
carbohydrates arc contained in this
much neglected portion of the crop. The
grain and cob should be ground to.
gcther, and tho entire slower run through
acutting or shredding machine, as in tho
north, where both systems are practiced
with much success. There is no reason
to believe that there is any great differ
encc i'll the digestibility of tho different
parts of stover, but to make the stalks
acceptable to cattle they must be cut
crushed or shredded
If we arc not i'll need of the grain
separate from the remainder of the
plant, of course the silo settles the diff
Guilty, but usually the silo is an adjunct
Ill general farm economy, and more or
less ear corn is needed. Consequently
the question is stiI open concerning the
best method of caring for the stover.
That it should be put under shelter
and be protected from the elements no
one will deny; but, the stalks being long
and bulky, it takes more room in barn
than farmers arc usually willing to pro-
vide. About two years ago we noticed
claims made i'll behalf of husking ma
chine that performed tho operation of
removing the husk, and also cut and
shredded the slower, thereby putting it
III better condition to feed, and ut the
same time requiring only q fraction Of
the room TO store it in comparison with
what would DO needed for the whole
plants. We purchased the machine and
value it particularly for the improved
condition i'll which it leaves the fodder.
Cattle will eat a much larger amount
than when it is prepared by the usual
methods. With us at least it doubles
tho value of this portion of the plant
The farmers of Virginia will, in our
opinion, do well to watch these nipple
ments and by this or some other meas
uro give corn fodder tho care it de-
serves.