The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-08-30

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Early Fodder Cutting1
Those who are fortunate enough t.
have silos in which to store their corr
fodder need little advice from any
source as to the best time to cut the
fodder, because it is . well-known
fact that corn must be reasonably
mature in order to make 6rst-class
ensilage. However, it is . some
what different proposition when it
comes to the matter of curing fodder
in the shock, because on this subject
there is considerable difference of OPP
inion among farmers and stockmen As
to the best time to cut fodder. A
Missouri subscriber has this to say on
the subject:
"Most farmers begin cutting corn
fodder to late in the season. If rain
or something else happens to stop the
cutting for q few days, frost is very
apt to catch and ruin all that is not
vet cut. The weather is more apt to
turn suddenly hot for . day or two
during late cutting, and take all the
sap out of the stalks before one gets
the desired amount cut, in which case
poor and almost worthless grade of
roughage is secured.
Our experience has shown US that
early fodder cutting holds many advan-
tages over late cutting, Its tenderness
of stalk causes it to cut q great deal
easier, The blades are not dry and
harsh that they scratch the face and
hands and wear out the clothing.
There is, of course, more tender
succulent feed in the early-cut fodder,
and while some fear it will spoil if cut
when there is much sap contained in
the plant, We find by actual test that
there is little danger in cutting fod-
der from one to two weeks in sdvan-
&c of the regular season in which most
farmers cut it.
However, our metod of handling
differs from that most usually employ
ed. We prefer to form small shocks,
and unless he wind is blowing or there
are signs of a shower, We allow the
shocks to stand without tying for
from twenty-four to forty eight hours.
This removes the danger of heating and
subsequent molding by the blades be-
ing pressed to closely together, and
permits the free circulation of the air
between the stalks, thus insuring the
fodder to cure perfectly and remain in
that condition till ready to be fed,
when its nearness to summer time
greenness makes it one of the most
palatable and profitable forms Of
roughage the farmer can procure for
winter stock feeding. There is also
considerable less waste to this early
cut product, since, as noted above, the
stalks will be almost entirely de-
voured by the animals
1t is q we'll known fact that the
corn plant contains the maximum de-
gree of feeding nutrients just rs the
grain becomes nicely denied. Possib-
ly at that time the lower leaves may
be turning yellow and if the work
could be all done within a few hours
that is the exact time to cut. How
ever, as cutting on many farms is q
rather slow job we believe that it is
wise to begin few days before corn has
reached this ideal condition. We are
not exactly taken with the idea of
leaving the shocks for a period of
twenty-four or forty eight hours with
out tying in order that they may dry
out. There is too much danger of
having them blow over. A much bet
ter plan in our opinion is to leave the
fodder on the ground for that length
of time. 1t is true that in case Of
rains some dirt is splashed up into the
fodder, but q days drying reduces
the water content very greatly, there
by lessening the labor involved in
stacking and it greatly lessons the
danger of having the fodder spoil in
the shock. When corn is cut just as
it is denting 50 that the fodder is green
the plan here suggested is q most
pratical one though of course it is true
that when the lower leaves have be-
gun to die there is very little risk to
run in tying the fodder up at once in
the form of good shocks. Home
stead.
Many Suffering Woman
Drags herself through her daily
tasks, suffering from backaches, head
ache, nervousness, loss of appetite and
poor sleep, not knowing that her ills
are due to kidney and bladder trou-
bles. Foley's Kidney Pills give quick
releaf from pain and misery and q
prompt return to health and strength.
No woman who 50 suffers can afford to
L 4 "