The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-05-28
soILING CORN AS AN AID TO sue.
CESSFUL DAIRYING.

CESSFUL DAIRYING.
Correspondence Of the Progressive Farmer,
But comparatively a small proper
ton of the dairymen of this country
have suficientpasturage tolast through
the entire season, at least for the best
results. Good pasture grasses are cal
culated to be the best and most perfect
milk producers, and could they be fur
nished in sufficient quantity and quail
ity through the season, nothing more
could be desired, but this is not the
case, unless it is in some favored por-
ton of our land.
Most farmers may have plenty Of
good pasturage up to perhaps the mid
die of July and the COWS will give ex-
cellent yields of milk, but as the dry,
hot weather comes on the grasses begin
to fail and the milk to decrease. There
after extra feed of some kind must be
furnished or the receipts from the dairy
will be small and unsatisfactory.
Here comes in the value of corn or
some other good forage plant to supple,
ment the failing pasture grasses. Per
haps no other one crop can take the
place of corn for this purpose, taking
the country through. 1t is now many
years since it began to be used in this
way, and as it's value becomes more
fully known, sois it more highly priced
and its cultivation increased. 1t is a
crop which if rightly managed can be
made to produce large yields, and if not
all wanted to feed in a green state can
be readily cured, for winter us9 or
placed in a silo.
But to get the best results with corn,
simply as a fodder crop, needs the
right kind of management. The old
way-and the one still p~racticed by
some-of sowing three bushels of West,
ern or Southern corn broadcast to the
acre, is by far from being the best way.
1t should be treated very much after
the manner of our common field corn,
1t is not so much a large mass Of
stalks and leaves that is wanted, es
goodly amount of ears along with the
fodder. To obtain these in suitable
proportion it is necessary that the croI
be cultivated with that object in view
It should be planted on properly pre-
pared ground, either thinly in drills o.
hills the same as for field corn, only
perhaps a little closer. This will admi
of the re CURED cultivation which is al
important factor in the success of tn
crop.
Corn is called a heavy feeder am
will make good use of abundant fertili
cation. Stable MANURE is well adaptec
to its growth, but for a soiling crop i
can be raised very successfully wit
commercial fertilizers alone. This ha
been abundautly verified in my owl
experience. AS to the kind of corn t
raise, itshould be that which will prov
most successful in the locality where i
is to be grown. A little experience an
observation In this matter should be tn
safest guide that we can follow. A bit O
my own experience in successfully groy
ing this crop for a considerable nun
Der of years may afford some help i
this direction. 1t should be notice
that l live pretty well north for SUI,
cessful corn raising, near the borde
line between this country and Caned,
Soil, a gravelly loan. Plow gree
sward usually in the fall when II
yields of hay falls below one ton 20 Il
acre. At planting time this thorough
narrowed and the rows marked thr,
feet apart. The hills are plac d tv
feet apart. No nj is used. onI
300 pounds to the acre of a stapda,
superphosphate is applied in the hi
This with the seed is put in at OF
operation with a horse planter, whiC
"ln do the work better than can
Uon by hand. Different kinds Of CO
are used, but the one that is fast gai
ing the preference over others in v,
lG and perhaps New England as
Orage crop, and even for the silo.