The Dickinson press., 1912-12-28

JIG SUCK, UlV1Oo Oy the umOe OF
cubic feet in a ton, taking into con-
sideration the length of time that the
hay has been stacked.
SAVE The FODDER
Although it is too late in the season
to consider doing anything with the
corn for ensilage purposes we should
not overlook the fact that to save the
fodder which we have already cut is
not only our duty but is very impor-
tant from the standpoint Of having
sufficient feed for u livestock dur.
ing the winter months.
OF the many ways to save the corr
crop the use of the silo is perhaps the
best, and yet only a few Of the farmers
in the corn belt have taken advantage
of this means of saving the corn crop
this season and we should begin
right to investigate the silo
problem so that we can erect
one next year. The silo not only
saves 80 to 40 per cent of the corn's
nutrition that would otherwise be
lost, but it affords a green and sufa.
cient feed during the winter months.
Crop reports sent out by the govern.
ment show that the farm value OF
hay as quoted October LIST, is some.
what less than 1t was October LIST,
1911, but yet it is higher by a con.
siderable amount than usual. In other
words this indicates that the amount
of rough feed available throughout
the country is less than normal and
for this reason we should put forth
extra efforts to save all the fodder and
other rough feed we have as it will
come in mighty handy before spring
When we consider the increased farm
value of hay and the fact that II
fodder is left standing in the field
from Is to 40 per cent of its feeding
value is. lost we will realize how i'm
portant it is to form our plans now tc
save this fodder in the best possible
shape. Ew
Perhaps you have not done so, but
you have seen your neighbors leave
the corn fodder in the fields during
the winter months and haul it in day
after day as 1t was required. This il
bad practice, to say the least, and We
hope that nc reader Of the Service
Bureau will be found guilty Of thit
practice this season. Late fall rains
coupled with occasional sleet or snow
storms not only waste a considerable
amount of the fodder but make II
extremely difficult to handle If left II
the field. Fodder left exposed in THU
manner loses its feeding value through
the loss of protein caused by tn
action of the elements and by thu
wasting of leaves due to handling.
The next best practice is to stacl
the fodder as 500 as the corn /.
picked. It is a good idea to locate
tho stack somewhere convenient tt
the feeding rack or on the south sid
Of a grove where the fodder can b.
fed during the cold winter morning:
by scattering it on the ground wher.
the animals will be protected from
! the cold northwest winds.
This brings us to the subject o
shredding fodder, which is the mos
important and by far the best way O
saving a fodder crop. The husker ant
shredder now in common use cuts tn,
stalks in longitudinal sections,-int.
small bits which puts it in a mucl
more palatable form. It has beel
found that live stock will eat mucl
more Of the stalk when shredded tina,
when fed whole. The machine use,
for this purpose will deliver the corr
in q husked condition. The cost O
shedding varies, of course, in differ
ent localities, but figuring the aver
age cost Of husking cor and storing
It, the expense Of shredding is prae
tically the same. Then you will no
only get the corn husked and store'
but you will have your fodder in
convenient form for; storing and feed
ing. 1t is a good plan to store tn,
shredded fodder IN the hay NOW or Il
some place where It can be covered
II It IL Impossible for You to do THU
! stack the shredded fodder close i
where you,, intend to feed 4. Thi
will not only save labor, but will n
/ duce losses "a handling and haulin4
the shredded fodder. Another adva1
tage 81 Shreddink the fodder which
often overlooked .sis the ,conlyenienc
!; n handlinlK; the stable manure. Il