646 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



This he began to feed in February usually. Our schools were out by March 

 1, so the boys hauled out most of the fodder. Every day it had to come 

 out. Many times in mud and rain or perhaps deep snow. Sometimes the 

 fodder was so frozen to the ground that most every stalk had to be chopped 

 from the ground with the same old dull hoe used in covering the grains 

 of corn at planting time. This fodder was often hauled on a wagon of the 

 old high wheeled kind. On Saturdays we hauled a double portion, one for 

 the Sabbath. How we dreaded the job! Then as spring came on we 

 usually had some corn to husk out of the shock. So every cold, damp day 

 we had that disagreeable task to perform. 



Do you wonder that I despised corn fodder? Do you wonder that I 

 vowed that when I became a man and owned a farm I would never cut 

 a stalk of corn? Those early recollections have lost me many a dollar. 

 Sometimes when hay has been scarce or very high I have brolvcn my vow 

 but always with the same sad experience in husking and hauling. 



Then I have read in our agricultural papers the value of corn fodder — 

 most equal to the grain itself. Then I have heard in these farmers insti- 

 tutes men give their experience in shredding; of the great cost, yet all 

 acknowledging the value of the feed. It seemed to me the cost equaled the 

 food value obtained. 



These facts convinced me that if I could get proper machinery at 

 small cost corn stover would be an economic feed. The first thing was the 

 corn harvester, costing $120. I resolved to cut my entire crop of 50 acres, 

 which would have been impossible without the binder. I got my corn in 

 shock for .$1 per acre, counting nothing for my team, as it would otherwise 

 have been idle while I was at this work. I counted 15c. for twine, 50c. for 

 machine and 35c. for setting up corn, making 4 cents per shock, 12 hills 

 square. 



Then came the shredder. Counting help to run a shredder of the 

 smallest capacity, I found it would pay best to interest one of my neighbors 

 in the same plan. This man I found in John Williams. After having used 

 our machine he pronounces it a success. "We, together, had 80 aci'es to 

 shred— 2,000 shocks and at the lowest estimate of cost would have been 

 $140 to get it all shredded. So we purchased a $180 machine. Hired our 

 power for $3 per day. The estimated cost of oiu* work is as follows: , 



6 men, 10 days $60 



1 man, 5 days 5 



Power 30 



Coal 15 



Board of men 15 



Use of shredder 35 



Total , $160 



