39 



gravity, whicli acts ii])oii the silage, whereas when the pipe is slanting 

 the silage tends to collect at the lower side of the pi])e and the wind 

 pressure tends to pass over the silage, thus causing clogging in the 

 ])ipe. 



One of the earliest attempts to turn the stalk into feed in any other 

 than its natural condition, or simply to cut it into short lengths })y 

 means of a cutting machine, is embodied in a machine patented in 

 1872, wliich comprised two parallel gangs of saw-like cutters, between 

 whicli the stalk is cut into short jHeces. 





Fig. 21. — Corn .shredder. 



The modern slu-edder was first suggested in 1881, as appears from 

 a patent granted to Messrs. Behringer, Stouffer, and Potts, of Penn- 

 sylvania. This consisted of two rollers between which the cornstalks 

 were fed to a cylinder provided wdth knives that slit the stalk and 

 beaters which pounded it, rendering it soft and pliable. 



HTJSKERS AND SHREDDERS. 



SIMPLE HUSKING DEVICES. 



One of the earliest devices used for husking corn was the husking 

 peg. Several patterns of this are in common use. There are also 

 other aids to com husking made in the form of gloves, with projecting 

 points or pegs. Equipped with such a glove the man passes along 

 the rows, husks the ears by tearing off the husks and snapping the 

 stems, and tosses them into the wagon which is drawn alongside. 

 Such husking pegs and gloves are also used in husking corn from the 

 shock. 



