Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1899-09-22
FARMER AND PLANTER.
AN INTERESTING QUESTION.
The Matter of the Disposition of
Cornstaliss-ShRIi the Farmer
Pull Foddert

1900 '''''' - wv N'hio uBo ~ Nphii
not have interested many. II is true
that repeated experiments have shown
that more weight is usually lost in the
corn than saved in the fodder. But as
the fodder was so useful and conven-
lent for hay, farmers were not pre-
pared to value these nice calculations.
They did not know how to do without
the fodder. They had not learned that
its place could be taken by hay. They
had not come to fully understand that
they could grow this hay cheaper than
they could save the fodder. Now they
ARE beginning to understand the
facts.
Value Of the stalks.
Another difficulty in settling this
question, was that the corn stalks
were considered worthless. They were
often thought to be greatly in the
way
BIZ, now all this is changed. We
print in another article new use and
new value that is proposed to be CIV
en- this hitherto worthless part of the
corr crop. That may or may not
prove Il reality. But one thing is
known: corn stalks can be made very
useful at home as food for horses and
cattle. Not only can they be fed at
home, but they can be sold at paying
figures for hay, when properly pre-
pared. Hence we think it important
for farmers to study this question
AID learn to utilize the great crop OF
corn stalks that has heretofore been
going almost entirely to waste.
And while they are doing this save
the bard work and heavy expense OF
pulling fodder.
How Can This he Done.
BY shredding the stalk with fodder,
stuck the corn all on. To do this
cr; the corn stalks about the time the
corr is hardening, or when the fodder
is just little too ripe for pulling
Shock these stalks in the field and
let them remain there IA few weeks,
until pretty dry. Longer will not
hurt
Then haul up and run through the
shredder. This machine will take off
the ears and cut up the stalks into ex-
ccl'ent hay. This hay is very good as
thu fodder alone and will weigh about
three or four times as much.
Shredders are not costly and can be
used for number of crops just as you
do the grain threshers.
Several small farmers can club to-
gethei and buy one, or the same par
ties who thresh the small grain can
run the shredder in the same way.
These points of management can east
~ he arranged.
The chief point is this: Let our
farmers make up their minds TO save
all the labor they can and thus lessen
the expenses. And let them SAKE all
that they have grown upon their farms
thai is worth saving. Some estimate
that stalks are worth as much as food
as the corn. Thus you see we have
beer throwing away nearly one-half.
\ few years ago we did not value
our cottonseed. Now they are worth
millions of dollars. For the same
reason let MS cease to throw away the
worm stalks and make them add to our
iaIm profits.
Therefore. we say, do not pull fod-
der. Because it Injuries the corn to
pull the fodder off; and it is hard and
expensive work.
The hay made from the whole stalk
is just as good as that made from an,
part of it.
Tie reason cattle have not eaten the
stalks is that the sharp outside Gov
erirg cut their mouths and stomachs
When the stalks are passed through
the machinery and thoroughly torn
to pieces this trouble no longer ex-
ista. They can eat and digest the stalk
with the same ease and comfort that
they can the shucks and fodder.
If it is not convenient to do the
shredding early in the fall it will not
make any difference. Simply take
care of your corn until you are ready
Perhaps it would be well TO say just
here, that it is important to stack your
Gotta well when you cut it, so as to pre-,
yel,t it from falling in the sand.
Ii is well to leave three or four
stalks standing near each other and
tie their tops together. They will
fern a good center for the stack
Southern Cultivator.