The Opelousas courier., 1903-01-17
Corn and Fodder

From 10 to 40 percent can be saved
on corn fodder by preparation before
feeding, according to the quality OF the
fodder. AS corn picked in their en-
tirety were formerly thrown into the
barnyard to be picked over by cattle
their consumption due to proper pre-
paration is a clear gain. The corn
shredder has now come into use, and
it is saving millions of tons of fodder
annually. Some portions of shredded
fodder will be rejected by cattle, but
only a. 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 1t
is the cutter or shredder that enables
the farmer to use the whole OF his
corn crop. The ensilage cutter is also
as serviceable for cured corn fodder as
for ensilage. There can be no loss,
even if the reduced fodder is uneaten,
as the refuse can be used for bedding,
and thenaas absorbent material in the
manure heap. In fact, il the cutter ana
shredder were used for no other pur-
pose than to convert the stalks into
bedding they would be valuable; u
there will be but little OF the corn
fodder rejected if it is bright and IN
good condition. 1t is of Importance TO
give the saving of fodder o atten-
ton. as it is more valuable than the
grain if carefully prepared for the an
imals. Horses keen well on good fod-
der. and come out in the spring ready
for work. but if the fodder is dry, The
blades whipped off by the wind, and
the shocks exposed in the fields the
animals will select only the best por-
fions. Shredded fodder can also be
baled, like hay, and shipped any dis
lance.
There has heretofore been an enor-
nous waste of material, for in the
fields, during the winter, on some
farms. may be seen shocks OF corn 1od-
der that have fallen over, the snow,
wind and rain destroying it, while that
which is left from destruction is leaf
less and the stalks frozen. The far
mer contents himself by hauling this
worthless fodder to the baTnyard to be
tramped by cattle and converted into
manure. but he loses the fodder as a
food and as an aid to the supply OF
hav. II is not as valuable for the man
ure bean when exposed as when cut
or shredded, for when reduced it alb
serbs the liquids more readily n VIII
also decompose sooner. AS the foddeI
is equally as valuable as the grain il
~nroperly cured and prepared, some es-
| innate may be maze of the annual loss
to farmers when it is stated that the
corn crop, at 25 cents per bushel, Is
worth $500, 600, 900, and the fodder FULLY
as much, but more than one-haif OF
the fodder is wasted in the fields b5
exposure. entailing a loss every veal
of $3.50 000. geo. If converted into milk
butter and meat this waste materia
would bring to the farmers 100000.
ao0 ner annum. Such a loss Wouid no
he permitted by manufacturers, for a
the great slaughtering establishments
everything is saved and sold, even te
The hair. hoofs, blood and horns; butthe
farmer. who should be economical l
he wishes to succeed, throws away ont
of the most valuable products OF hi
farm that simply requires care in har
yesting and storing to be utilized. Nor
stock can be kept when the entire corr
nlant is used, and better manure TO
the farm can be made by putting tns
fodder under shelter or even stack
fng It In a manner to prevent loss frou
exposure during the winter.-Philadel
phia Record.
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