Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-11
ed receipts for today. 100: market
When to Plant silase Corn.

Methods and suggestions for inn
rToving the quality and yield Of corn
to be used for silage may well be
considered at this time on account of
the increased use to which silage is
oeing put for maintaining and fatten-
ing live stock.
Silage in different silos may vary
considerably every one knows who has
had a chance TO make a comparison. 1t
may turn out very sour washy FEED,
or it may be dry and musty smelling
and tasting. The ideal condition Is
when it smells something like good
cider vinegar. or like the apple pulp
after it has fermented j day or two.
1t should have what might be called
a sweet-sour taste.
Corn Investigations show that the
condition of the corn when cut up for
silage governs to a large extent the
taste and condition of the feed. In
that case corn intended for silage
should be planted at a time that will
bring the crop to the right degree OF
maturity at the time that cutting
should take place.
c. P. Hartley. in charge Of corn in
vestigations of the department of agri-
culture, says that, whils it is a proper
practice where home grown seed is
used to plan to use the latest ma
turing corn for a silo, it is an ex-
pensive mistake to plant varieties of
ensilase corn last
1t is recommended that such vari-
cites be planted first. The fact that
the supply of northern grown seed is
being supplemented this year with seed
from the south makes this point OF
timely interest. He says:
When large ensilage varieties from
Virginia or Missouri for example, are
planted in the northern states late in
May. they make rapid, long jointed,
tender, succulent growth and are 50
green when fall frosts occur that they
make ensilage which Is sloppy and
too sour.
But when planted very early in May
they make a slower, harder growth.
better Withstand spring frosts and
summer drouths, reach a more ad-
vanceu condition or maturity and pro-
duce more grain than when planted
later. Fall frosts, not spring frosts,
arc most to be feared
Early maturing, home grown vari-
cites do not need and arc not benefited
by unusually early planting, but en-
silage varieties are benefited.
Tho dwarfed and ripered by the
early planting, large ensilage varieties
will by nature make ample stalk
growth and richer, sweeter silage
because Of being planted early. 1t
supplies the days they need for ma
turing.
Altho by the Fourth Of July June
planted corn may De as large as corn
planted in early May when fall frosts
occur it viii be composed mostly OF
water and not in as good condition for
SLIDING as corn planted early in May.
The early planted corn, however. re-
quires early and frequent civilizations
to warm and dry the soil surface. II
the soil surface in May is wet it is
also cold, and the corn can not grow.
Stirring causes the surface to dry
rapidly. absorb heat, feel warm to the
hand and the corn will grow; while
1ncultlvated soil near by will he cold
and the corn at standstill
The question of quality Of silage is
Of prime importance, since it deter
mines the palatability, and every prac-
teal stockman knows that the more
mis- animals relish their feed the better
they are certain to do.
II. view of the general practice OF
decreasing the amount Of grain and
concentrates fed to all classes of cattle,
the question of improving the feeding
value and palatability Of silage Is
worth giving Careful thought to. -
Drovers Journal.