The evening bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1887-1905, 1896-05-09
CORN FOR THE SILO.
The Preferred Varieties and Methods of
Growing Corn In Various Sections.

The Importance of growing the right
kind of corn for the silo and in the
right way is receiving increased atten-
| ton. American Agriculturist, which
invited correspondence from all sections
on the subject of best varieties and
methods, makes the following report:
In a general way it may be said that
our correspondents who raise corn for
the silo recommend planting the varie-
ty which docs best in the farmers local
ity, sowing it in rows to feet apart
and running north and south if posi-
BILE. Broadcasting fodder corn has been
discarded, though many still SOW thick
ly in rows, but those who get the lar
gest yields per acre are careful to have
the stalks Of the larger varieties from
to even ~ inches apart i'll the row, and
this pan yields about the same amount
of matured ears as if planted the usual
way for grain, and the fodder is of far
better quality than when grown so
thick. We advise farmers to experiment
in limited way with several varieties,
also with rows at varying widths, and
stalks at different distances in the rows.
Some still grow silo corn i'll hills or
two kernels together, but the majority
grow single stalks in the drills.
Leaning corn is preferred in the cast
ern, middle and central states. 1t is
seeded in rows to 324 feet apart, one
kernel every 4, 6, s or 10 inches, ac-
cording to the farmers notion, while
some prefer two kernels every 10 inch
es. Some farmers maintain that the
special variety is not of so much conse-
quence, provided it is rank grower and
ears moderately well. Others make the
distinction that it should be kind that
will keep green at the bottom longest
The large Southern White ensilage corn
is not so much planted as in former
years, especially in more northern lati-
tudes, where it does not always mature
before frosts come.
Some farmers practice growing a
number of the medium sized kinds. In
a few cases different kinds are planted
separately and mixed as put into the ST.
lo-Northern yellow dent, Red Cob,
Sheeptooth, Sanford and Longfellow
being favorites with such farmers.
Chester County Mammoth, especially
from Delaware grown seed, stalks 6 to
~ inches, in rows feet apart, is pop
ular i'll some sections, and Egyptian
corn or any of the regular sweet corn
Varieties has its advocates. The Eu-
reka ensilage corn will be planted more
literally than ever this year in sections
where a large growth can be expected
to mature before frost. The common
yellow corn is sown thickly in rows by
some, while flint is preferred by others.
In Vermont and colder ATTITUDES San
ford is the popular variety. Red Cob re-
ceived many votes all over the country,
while the Sheeptooth corn of York state
is spreading both east and west. Breck's
Boston Market ensilage corn, Sibley's
Pride of the North, Rural Thorough
bred white flint and number of less
known kinds are also mentioned. Some
careful feeders find that the grain Of
flint corn ensilage is much Of it undi-
gested by cows, while sweet corn may
be used freely without this result.
Much emphasis is laid upon the neces-
sity of having the soil in fine filth.
There Is little danger of blowing too
deeply, while it is impossible to harrow
it too much. The manure or fertilizer
should always be broadcasted and har-
rowed in. 1t is imperative that the soil
be put in fine mechanical condition, nor
is there danger of putting on too much
plant food. Experience shows however,
that where reasonably strong land was
well dressed with stable manure last |
year it is not necessary to apply nitro
gen to any extent in order to secure a
good growth of ensilage corn this sea-
son, but it must have plenty Of potash |
and phosphoric acid, preferably in the |
form Of muriate Of potash or unleached |
ashes, to furnish potash, and acid phos-
phate or dissolved bone to supply phos-
phoric acid in an available form. 1t
will not do to risk slow acting or I'M
available forms of these elements ON q
quick growing crop like ensilage corn.