590 



The percentage of starcb and s agar i;i tlie nitrogen free extract of 

 numerous feeding stuffs, and tbe average co efficient of digestibility 

 for the nitrogen tree extract of materials are tabulated. "Witb two 

 exceptions, red clover and linseed meal, we tind tbat tbe per cent of 

 nitrogen-free extract, as sugars and starcb, agrees very closely witb 

 tbe per cent digested." 



Study of the maize ])lant. — A brief resume is given of studies made 

 at tbe station in previous years to determine tbe best variety of corn 

 for tbe silo, tbe best method of planting (in hills or in drills), and the 

 best stage of maturity for cutting corn for silage, followed by a report 

 of the work done iu 1SS9. Tbe author states tbat from tbe summary of 

 trials of previous years "it appears tbat the varieties of Hint corn give, 

 under tbe method of thick seeding, the greatest amount of green forage 

 per acre, and 4 years' trial should give a fair test, including, as they 

 do, several well-known varieties."- 



"There seems to be no question but what tbe greatest amount of 

 green forage and dry matter has been produced at this station by thick 

 seeding. Whether by thin seeding, as in the case of hill and drill trials, 

 a greater yield would bav^e been secured may be questioned." 



In 1889 the experiments were made witb reference to the best stage 

 for cutting for the silo. 



" In the latter part of Jnly, iu a field of some 12 acres of King Tbilip 

 corn, 1 acre was selected that to all appearances was as nearly uniform 

 iu growth as possible to select, and measured off. Tbe plat included 

 forty rows and these were divided into five sets, one fifth acre each. 

 This gave eight rows to eacb one fifth acre, and, in order that any 

 inequality in tbe land or growth of tbe corn might be counterbalanced 

 so far as possible, it was decided at eacb cutting of the corn to take 

 rows from eacb plat." 



Five cuttings were made between July 30 and Sei)tember 23, repre- 

 senting the following stages: "fully tasseled," "fully silked," "ker- 

 nels watery to full milk," "kernels glazing," and "ripe." Analyses are 

 given of samples taken at eacb cutting which show the percentage 

 of water, total yield of dry matter, composition of dry matter, and the 

 amount of eacb constituent, including albuminoid and amide nitrogen, 

 starch and sugar, iu crops at different stages. 



The coiiclnsioiis reached last year witb Bnrrill and Wbitinau corn are in the main 

 borne out by tbe present season's investigation, and tbe results of two years' work 

 given in a sbort summary are as follows: 



(1) Tbe greatest weigbt of green fodder is between the period of full silking and 

 milky stage of Icernel. 



(2) 1 be total weight diminished after this date but tbe total dry matter increased. 



(3) As the corn approaches maturity the per cent of amide nitrogen diminishes, 

 wbi'e the albuminoid nitrogen increases, thus seemingly increasing the feeding 

 value of the crop. 



(4) The sugars and starcb increase rapidly during tbe latter period of growth and 

 maturing of the corn plant, and these are tbe most valuable portion of tbe nitrogeu- 

 free extract. 



