The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-04-19
PROF, IRsY's WEEKLY LITTER.
GROWING ENsILAGE.


tis no longer q question with dairy
men and stockmen as to whether en-
silsge pays or not; but the question
now is how to grow it in the cheapest,
and handle it in the most economical
way. What lands to plant, how TO
plant, what to tertilize with, and how
to cultivate, what machinery to handle
it with and how to feed it. These are
the questions that now interest the
progressive farmer, as he has long since
decided that he must raise ensilage.
Any land that will make good corn
will grow good ensilage if corn is
planted. It might be remarked jast
here that corn has been found to be the
best of all crops.
Some use sorghum, pearl millet,
teosmite, pea vines, and anything that
grows q large amount Of stuff.
Corn seems to fill the bill best Of all
Sorghum comes next.
A rich, mellow, loamy soil will grow
the best crop and good clay soil if
properly worked will give fine returns
Apply manure broadcast and plow
deep with a two horse plow in fall or
winter, followed by a subson plow.
Break again in spring about the first
of May.
About June first run over the land
with a Clark's cutaway harrow, leav
ing the land level. Lay off the rows
and apply fertilizer rich In nitrogen
in the drills. Plant with Centennial
planter, as it does the best work, and
saves seeds,
Plant in rows feet apart and foot
in the drill, two grains to the hill. It
is better to have two small stalks than
one large one.
The land should be left level when
planted. If it is a stiff clay run over
the land with smoothing harrow just
before the crop comes up. This will
break the crust and kill the fine grass
and weeds. When the corn gets up
three or four inches, run the smoothing
harrow again, running across the rows
as though you would tear the crop up.
It will be found that but few stalks are
injured and the land gets another good
cultivation, as a double harrow will
easily go over fifteen acres q day. In
about one week more run around the
ensilage with a single horse cultiVatOr.
Next with double shovel, and lastly
with single horse cultivator. Try to
break the crust after every rain, as it
will do the crop good to cultivate it
and keep the land from baking and
tend to hold the moisture. Lay it by
when about feet high. Itpays to plant
variety suited for ensilage; like Vir-
ginia Ensilage, AosOy's Prolific, or
Cocks Prolific.
With these you get a small stalk,
two or three medium size ears, and If
there happens to be a skip or poor stand
it will send up shoots to fill the space.
Cut when the ears are glazed, or just
passing out Of the doughy state. If
the field is large it will pay to buy a
corn harvester, but if it is small the
most economical method is to cut by
hand. Use a common wedding hoe
with helve cut eff to about two feet.
Keep sharp and cut stalk about four
inches above ground. Pile on every
fourth row, laying the corn across the
toWs IN nice even piles. Then it will
De easier to handle afterwards.
Haul into the barn on broad frame
made for the purpose. In unloading,
lay eff carefully, as it is much easier
handled when not tangled.
Use an Ohio feed cutter and elevator
EnO tramp the ensilRge into the silo.
OSe no Weights or covers for the silage,
aS sne top will rot away, and this will
SUN torm a covering.
several styles of silos will be dis
cusSed later.