Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-11-14
agricultural.
CORN AND FODDER.

From 10 to 40 per cent can be saved
on corn fodder By preparation before
feeding, according to the quality Of the
fodder. As the fodder was formerly
thrown into the barnyard to be picked
over by cattle, its consumption due to
proper preparation is a clear gain. The
corn shredder has now come into use,
and it is saving millions of tons of fod-
der annually. Some portions Of shred
ded fodder will be rejected by cattle, but
only little when the corn is harvested
at the proper stage. The quality de-
ponds upon when the corn is removed
from the ground and shocked, but it is
the cutter or shredder that enables the
farmer to use the whole of his corn crop.
The ensilage cutter is also as services
BILE for cured corr fodder as for ensilsge.
There can be no loss, even if the re-
duced fodder is uneaten, as the refuse
can be used for bedding, and then as
absorbent material in the manure heap
In fact, il the cutter aud shredder were
used for no other purpose than TO con-
vert the stalks into bedding they would
be valuable, but there will be but little
Of the corn fodder rejected If it is bright
and in good condition. 1t is Of import
ance to give the saving of fodder more
attention, as it is more valuable than the
gain If carefully prepared for the AMI.
mails. Horses keep we'll on good fodder
and come out in the spring ready fol
work, but if the fodder is dry, blades
whipped of BY the wind, and shocks ex'
posed in the fields, the animals will Sc
lect only the best portions. Shredded
fodder can also be baled, like hay, ant
shipped any distance.
There has heretofore been an enor
nous waste Of material. for in the field
during the winter, on some farms, MAJ
be seen shocks Of corn fodder that hav,
fallen over, the snow, wind and rain des
troying it, while that which is left from
destruction is leafless and the stalk
frozen The farmer contents himsel
by hauling this worthless fodder to th
barnyard to be tramped by cattle an,
converted into manure, but he loses th
fodder as food and as an aid to thu
supply Of day 1t is not as valuable 70
the manure heap when exposed as whe
cut or shredded, for when reduced
absorbs the liquids more readily AM
will also decompose sooner.
As the fodder is equally as valuabl
as the grain if properly cured aud pre-
pared, some estimate may be made {
the annual loss to farmers when it
stated that the corn crop, at rs cent
per Dushel, is worth $500, 900, 900, an
the fodder fully as much, but more tina
one-half of the fodder is wasted in th
fields by exposure, entailing loss ever
year of $250,000. 900. If converte
into milk, butter and meat this vast
material would bring TO the farmer
$500, 100000 per annum. Such los
would not be permitted by manufat
turers, for at the great slaughtering es
Establishments everything is saved an
sold, even to the hair, hoofs, blood an
horns but the farmer. who should b
economical if he wishes to succeed
throws away one of the most valuabl
products Of bis farm that simply re
quires care 10 harvesting and storing
be utilized More stock can be keI
when the entire corn plant is used, an
better manure for the farm can be mad
by putting the fodder under shelter Q
even stacking it in q manner to prever
loss from exposure during the winter =
Philadelphia Record.