The Sauk Centre herald., 1910-07-07
FED FOR CATTLE
Fodder Corn Is Now An Appro-
pirate Crop To Put In
HOW TO RAISE A CROP
Directions Sent Out from the Ex-
pertinent Station for the Bene-
fit of the Farmer


probably less than so percent of a
normal crop. In places it is a total
failure. This means a shortage of
forage, and in consequence, the sell
ing of much live stock. This will re-
duce the young breeding stock on the
farm to a deplorable extent. Only
thosa animals originally intended for
the block, should be disposed of, if
it is possible in any way to obtain
feed to carry the stock to the middle
Of August, when fodder corn can be
available.
1t permits of early or late planting
ard is harvested before the general
corn crop is mature. Large yields
of dry forage or of silage are obtain
ed, which for cattle, sheep. young
stock or even horses, is an excellent
feed. For milch cows, it is second on
iy to alfalfa and clover. Much could
be stated about this valuable crop,
but the purpose of this circular is
merely to advise the farmers TO SOW
corn thickly for fodder, thus tiding
over the hay shortage period and save
the live stock.
Any piece of productive land will
grow fodder corn. The m-adow, the
pasture, or even a grain field can
we'll be spared if necessary. PloW
the land about five inches deep and
harrow as fast as plowed. Work the
furrow slice back into firm con-
dition with disc, a subsurface roll
Ell mot a surface rOller) and finally
harrow. If sod land is used, a
more thorough preparation will be
necessary. The disc is imperative on
sod land. You must keip the mols-
ture in the soil. This can be done
only by proper tillage methods.
The se-d is planted in drills about
three feet, six inches apart. From
one bushel (56 lbs.) to sixty pounds
are sown per acre. When a two-horse
corn planter is not to be had, grain
drill { not broad cast seeder) will dc
the work satisfactorily. Cover the
seed cups of the drill with piece
of wood or tin so as to leave the
op- n tubes the proper distance apart
for the rows. Open the seed cups
wide and test the planting. The seeds
should be about two inches apart Ii
the seed cups do not open vide
enough to permit sowing at least one
bushel p5r acre, readjust the closed
ones SO as to leave two adjacent cups
open; thus planting double rows OF
drills C to s inches apart and about
AZ inches, on center, apart. The
seeds in the double rows should be
| from to 4 inches apart, to SOW the
| desired amount per acre.
The Experiment Station in 1906
! planted fodder corn on July 18th and
| harvested in the fall good tonnaga
of excellent fodder. The stalks grew
slender and about five feet high
When fed, the animals left no stubs
OF stalks in the managers.
Harrow the land with a slant-tooth
| drag the next day after planting, and
every five or six days until the
| corn is an inch or SO high.
Cultivate shallow after the harrow
| ing at least once a week until the
| corn is from Is to 20 inches high.
The cultivator used should have sever
al, but small teeth or shovels; the
"duck-bill'' or ''EagIe-claw" type
No sulky cultivator should be used
| which has the common shovels-
three on a side or in each gang.
| They are sure to run too deep. Two
and one-half inches is plenty deep
enough. Do not neglect this harrow
| ing or cultivation for the moisture
must be kept in the soil. The cul'
ture prevents surface evaporation.
Directions for harvesting, storing
etc., are contained in Press Bulletin
No. 81, which may be had free Of