Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-09-23
THE CORN HARVEST.
Best Time to Cut Fodder-Points o

heet to Sut fouttf-TOtutn ID
Handling the Crop.
Extensive experiments to determine
the best time for cutting corn have
been conducted at the Pennsylvania
station at one time and another, and
the results are remarkably uniform,
all pointing to the advisability of al
lowing the corn to become quite well
matured before cutting and shocking.
In every experiment the amount of
dry matter increased very rapidly aft
er growth had apparently ceased. This
Increase takes place in the grain. Prac
tically these same conclusions were
reached in Maine The large growing
varieties of the west should, according
to the Maine station, be harvested be-
fore they are quite mature, but flint
corn should be allowed to stand until
well ripened.
Cutting and Shocking.
Other things being equal, a large
shock should be planned for, especial
ly in the west, where there is less dis
position tn house the fodder. A shock
sixteen hills square is the favorite in
most sections, although in some local
tiles where the corn is very heavy a
twelve hill shock is the favorite. In
the east and north shocks are seldom
more than eight hills square. The eli
mate also has something to do with
the size of the shock. In the humid
regions small shocks are more deSira-
BILE Care must be taken in putting
up shocks. 1t seems most desirable to
start the shock. cutting about one
fourth the fodder, allowing it to dry
out thoroughly, then putting ON anoth-
er fourth and continuing until the
shock is completed, allowing at least
one day to elapse between each cut
ting If, however, rain comes during
the cutting, much more of the fodder
will be injured. Great care must be
exercised in standing corn about the
shock, so that the shock will not twist
Or blow down.
Improved Machinery.
The corn binder is coming into use
rapidly, some big farmers operating as
many as ten at one time. They are so
constructed that corn can be handled
even though it be badly blown down.
1t operates best in corn Of medium
size. The cost of twine is largely off
set by the smaller amount of labor re-
quired for shocking and hauling.
Where the corn is on the green order
there is more danger of it molding un-
der the band when placed in the shock
than if cut by hand. If it is not prac-
ticable to have corn binder, many OF
the numerous drag cutters in the form
Of sled with cutting knives on each
side answer very well and save much
hard work. They are simple and can
be constructed at home with the aid
Of a blacksmith. The old fashioned
method of cutting with hand knife
still obtains in many places.
Storing the Fodder.
Ine cOuuou prdSliSe III 'nS Soih oSi'
is to let the fodder remain in the field
until wanted. This results in loss OF
about 20 per cent, depending upon the
weather, size of shock. etc. Where
large shocks have been made this loss
of course is reduced to a minimum.
Stacking corn fodder after it has been
thoroughly dried is common where
small quantities are to be taken care
of. This also is true in the older states
where the fodder is stored in barn.
In the big corn growing sections the
fodder shredder and husker is becom-
ing more and more popular. The first
objection to this machine was that
there was difficulty i'll keeping the
shredded fodder The tendency to
mold seems much greater than in hay
and other kinds of rough feed. 1t has
been determined however. that TINS
difficulty can be remedied by thorough
curing. Agriculturist.