Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1901-09-05
DON'T PULL FOODEp.

our farmers in the following ar
t:cle given in the Southern Cul.
tivator of August 18TH by Prot.
J. 3 Hunnicutt, that we copy in
full. He says:
owe advise all Of our farmers
to quit pulling fodder and shred
their corn stalks, because it
makes them more money to do
that way.
HOW A CORN STALK GROWS.
The sap is taken from the soil
by The little feeding roots and
carried to the blades. There it is
worked over by the sunshine and
chlorophyl. The leaves are both
stomach and lungs to plants. The
food contained IN the sap IS then
returned to the various parts OF
the stalk and all the water and
waste thrown out into the air,
through the thousands of little
mouths on the under side of the
leaves. No food once in a plant
ever goes back into the soil.
From this we see that if the fod-
der blades are pulled off the pro
cess of growth is stopped at once.
Hence the com grain cannot fill
out after the fodder is pulled.
But if the corn stands until
the lower blades ripen and die,
then you will find all the feeding
roots dead. All the sap is then in
the stalk. So if you cut the stalk
then, with the fodder on it, the
feeding process goes on and the
ear fills out plump and full.
Nothing IS lost in the weight
or quality of the grain by cutting
the stalk after the fodder ripens.
On the contrary, nature hurries
up the work because of the
wound
The right time to cut then is
about a week later than we usu-
ally pull fodder. All the sap food
is then in the stalk.
HOW TO CUT AND SHOCK.
Having thus saved the ex-
pense of pulling the fodder and
the damage which pulling al
ways does, we take a sharp
heavy knife, or corn harvester,
and cut the corn. Then we take
a pole or scantling 2x4, IL or
IS feet long. On the large end
we fasten two legs about four or
FIVE feet long and let the other
end rest on the ground. This
three legged horse is just like a
Single drawn horse. About
three feet from the END, which
is held up by the legs. bore all
augur hole, one ince and quar-
ter. make a pin three or four
teet long that will easily work
lii this hole.
Stand your horse where you
wish to shock. Put in the pin,
and in the four corners place the
corn until you have the shock
as large as you wish. Large
shocks are better, 200 to 400
stalks. Place the butts firmly and
then get up on your horse, and.
having provided piece Of rope
feet long with all iron ring on
one end, throw this rope around
the shock above the ears and
draw tight, Then tie with Irvine.
Then pull out the pin, take the
horse by the high end and walk
on to the place for the next
shock.
A few days later, when the
corn has strunk, go around and
tighten these ties. This shock
ing should be very carefully
done If the shocks ever fall great
damage is done to the hay. Large
shocks are to be preferred be-
cause less fodder is exposed toI
the dews and rains.
WHEN TO SHRED.
The corn should stand at least
four weeks; six is better 1t
should be thoroughly dry when
shredded. Letting the shocks
blow down and shredding when
damp or wet have caused some
to be prejudiced against the hay
or, as it is generally called,
"stover." j
When the corn is dry, haul to
where you wish it and SHE'D the
whole business except the ear.
The shredder will take the
ear off and make slower or first
class hay of the stalk. shucks
and fodder.
This hay. if you have been :
careful in the above described
work, will be worth as much as
the ear.
1t will sell for as much if baled |
and carried to market. If you
need it at home it is equal in
feeding value to any other hay,
or to fodder, as usually saved
Stock of all kinds eat it freely |
and fatten upon it readily when
not at work.
To make good slower, the
shredder should have good speed
~aoI,, e1,~oI