The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-07-22
That Corn Stalk Question.
Southern Cultlvator.

Have you settled it? If 80 on which
side do you stand. AS farmer you
must raise cornstalks. You cal not
raise corn without them. So they cost
you nothing to raise. They are strict
ly BY product of growing corn. Now
then having these stalks, what will
you do with them? They have val
ue. How much they are worth de-
pends upon how you dispose of them.
The old way was and is to pull off
the fodder and leave the stalk to rot in
the field or to be burned next spring.
This is q very losing way to use
them. It costs as much to save the
fodder as it is worth. Very often
more. Why then do we pull fodder /?
Before we learned to grow hay for
horses and mules, we needed the fod-
der as rough food.
WE KNOW BETTER NOW.
But we have learned that the entire
stalk is good for hay. We have also
learned that the fodder blades are need
ed to help the grain fill out. That
we can not pull the fodder without
making the grain lighter. The minute
you take off the blades the corn ceases
to fill. Hence more is lost in the
weight of the grain than the fodder
weighs if the fodder be picked little
green, as is often the case.
We have learned that the entire stalk
is good for hay. If properly prepared
stock will eat it freely and do as we'll
as upon any other hay.
We have learned that it is as cheap
if not cheaper to cut and shed the
stalks as to harvest the corn in the old
way.
We say we have learned these things.
They are no longer doubtful, 40 many
experiments have been made and such
success has attended them that we
may safely say they are practically
settled.
We do not mean to say that every
one has succeeded. Many have failed
to be pleased at first, but there has
always been some sufficient reason.
The shredding was not properly
done or the corn was damp or some
such trouble.
Cattle have been little slow to take
hold freely In some cases. Generally
this was because the work had not
been properly done somewhere.
Shredded cornstalks, when well
made has proven about equal to other
hay.
THE VALUE.
The stover about equals in value the
grain. That is If you get twenty BUSH
els of corn you get a ton of hay. The
hay will sell in the market for as
much as the corn.
Now is it good business to throw
away one-half you make. We think
not. If you have made 800 worth of
corn you have 500 of stalks. 1t is
not question whether you should
make these stalks. You were COM
PEELED to make them to get the corn.
The real question is what will you
do with them now that you have made
them? Will you use them or will you
loose them? The wise man will use
them, the foolish man will lose them.
If you are running twO-horse farm
you should plant at least twenty acres
! in corn and make at least twenty tons
of stover, worth $500. This added tc
the income of your years work will
make quite difference in the years
business. So if you are a good busi
ness man you will save what you have
made.
! NOW is THE TIME TO DECIDE.
Do not wait until the last day to set
tie this question, but settle it now anC
begin to make your arrangements ir
time.
Shredders are not expensive. But j.
you do not feel able to invest in ont
alone, join with your neighbor and ge
one. Or see that some one in youl
community has one to travel arount
and shred just as they travel anc
thresb grain.
WHEN TO CUT THE CORN.
Wait until the fodder is we'll vel
lowed, week later than you would tx
pull the fodder.
Then shock from 100 to 400 stalks il
a shock and tie them firmly 80 as t