THE GROWING OF CORN. 



91 



carbo-hydrates become transformed into woody fibre. If cut 

 and stooked early, and removed under cover, it has a consid- 

 erable value. In one experiment in the winter of 1878, my 

 whole herd of cows were fed upon it almost exclusively. As 

 near as 1 could calculate, for every ten tons of corn-stover 

 fed I was enabled to sell six tons of hay. The cattle came 

 through the winter in fair condition, but not quite as smooth- 

 haired as suited my aesthetic taste. The milk-yield per cow 

 for my whole herd was, — 



QUARTS. 



9 COWS, 1875 1,901 



9 cows, 1877 2,4CG 



9 cows, 1878 2,160 



13 cows, 1879 1,903 



As the farm-year commences with Jan. 1, the effect in 

 the milk-yield must be looked for in the two years 1878 

 and 1879. The falling-off from 1877 was then 435 quarts 

 per cow. This does not, however, tell the whole story, 

 for in milk-yield no two years are alike ; and often, from 

 no assignable cause except period of coming into milk, 

 there will be greater variation than here given ; as in 

 1875, when, under full feed, the yield was 1,901 quarts 

 per cow. 



From these figures I can state that my corn-stover was 

 worth to me in 1878 six-tenths the value of hay in cash, 

 less the loss of milk, if any, caused by substituting stover for 

 hay. As I sold my hay for an average of $22 in the barn, 

 this made the corn-stover stand me in at $13.20 a ton. 



The product per acre varies with the closeness of the 

 planting. With my system I rarely obtain less than four 

 tons per acre, or the equivalent of two tons and four-tenths 

 of English hay. There is no question, hence, in my mind, 

 but that the corn-stover is ample compensation for the 

 money expended for fertilizers. 



According to Wolff's tables, — 



