Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-02-11
SOiliNG CORN AS AN AID TO Sue
CESSFul OAlRYlNG.

But comparatively = small proportion
of the dairymen of this country have
sufficient pastursge to last through the
entire season, at least for the best re-
suits. Good pasture grasses are cslcu-
lated to he the best and most perfect
milk producers, and could they be
furnished in sufficient quantity and
quality through the season, nothing
more could be desired, but this Is not
The case, unless 1t Is in some favored
portion Of our land.
Most farmers may have plenty OF
good pasturage up to perhaps the mid
die of July, aud 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 10 decrease. There
after extra food 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 il began TO he used In TINS
way. aud as II becomes more fully
known, so Is Il more highly priced aud
its cultivation increased. 1t is a crop
which II rightly managed can be made
10 produce large yields, and IL not all
wanted to feed in a green state, can be
readily cured for winter use 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 practiced by somc-of
sowing three bushels Of Western or
Southern corn broadcast TO the acre, -
by far from being the best way. IL
should be treated very much after the
manner of our common field corn.
lt is not so much large mass OF stalks
and leaves that is wanted. as a goodiy
amount of ears along with the fodder
To obtain these 10 suitable proportion II
is necessary that the crop be cultivated
with that object in view. Ii should be
planted on properly prepared ground,
either thinly in drills or hills the same
as for field corn, only perhaps little
closer. This will admit OF the required
cultivation which Is an important factor
In the success Of the crop.
Corn Is called heavy feeder and viii
make good use Of abundant fertilization
Stable manure Is well adapted 10 its
growth. but for soiling crop II can be
raised very successfully with CONNER
cial fertilizers alone. This has been
sbuudantly verified In nv own ex-
perience. As to the kind OF corn to
raise IL should be that which will prove
most successful In the locality where IL
is TO be grown. A little experience and
observation in this matter should be the
safest guide that we can follow.
A biz OF NV own in successfully grow
ing this crop for considerable number
OF years may afford some help In TINS
direction. IL should be noticed that
live pretty well north for successful
corn raising, near. the border line De-
tween this country and Canada. Plow
green sward usually 10 the fall when the
Yields OF hay fall below one ton to the
acre. At planting times this thoroughly
narrowed and the rows marked three
feet apart. The hills are placed TWO
feet apart. No manure is used, only
800 pounds TO the acre OF standard
superphosphate il applied In the hill.
This with the seed Is put In at one opera
ton with horse planter, which VIII 90
the work better than can be done oy
hand. Different kinds OF corn are used,
but the one that is fast gaining the
preference over others In Vermont aud
perhaps New England as a forsge crop,
and even for the silo, Is the Stanford,
variety that has been in use for long
time. IL Is medium growing Kind
with abundant foliage, healthy growth,
midway between the common heid and
sweet varieties In saccharine quality, and
A good yielder Of fine shaped, long white
ears. One-half bushel Of seed Is used 10
the acre.
The cultivation consists of passing
early over the field once or twice with
the weeder or a light smoothing harrow,
that will mellow the surface soil ana
check the growth Of any weeds that may
have started. This is followed with the
cultiystor. aud the crop is hand hoed
once. This il all until harvest. Thus
treated, the crop early covers the
ground. and weeds or grass have little
chance for growth.
IL the crop Is likely TO be too thick, II
should be thinned sufficiently at time OF
hoeing In order that there may be fair
proportion Of ears.
This makes an excellent crop to feed
green. and large quantities are cured Tor
late fall and winter. Should be harvest
ed when in the milk TO cure. From nve 10
eight tons 10 the acre of cured fodaer
are raised with this treatment, whicn
makes ii one OF the cheapest and most
profitable crops that can be produced on
the farm for dairy purposes.
While corn for fodder can be success
fully raised when even planted quite
late. still for general crop IT Will be
found the most profitable when put into
the ground as early as the common held
varieties, in order that proper degree
Of maturity may be reached before II Is
wanted for use, as herein It's value VIII
largely consist. Maine Farmer.