] ourtial of Agriculture. 



[lo April, 1909. 



IMPROVED METHODS OF MAIZE GROWING FOR 

 MILK PRODl'CTION. 



y. M . B. Connor, Dairy Supervisor. 



Maize has been used as a forage croj> in Kgy|)t and otlier countries 

 for over 2.000 \ears. Columbus. \vht> introduced it into America, first 



found it extensively cultivated 

 by the Indians on the island of 

 Hayti, where it was called 

 mahiz ; hence the name maize. 

 Mahiz or marisi is said to be 

 an Arawak Indian word of 

 South American origin. In the 

 United States of America, 

 where it is extensively grown, 

 corn is everywhere understood 

 to mean maize. From America 

 it gradually found its way east- 

 ward, until now it is grown for 

 both seed and fodder purposes 

 throughout the universe. 



The area of land under 

 maize for grain in Victoria has 

 been fairly constant from the 

 year 190 1-2, as the following 

 table shows : — 



stool of yellow moruya from onk 

 seed; weight 15 lbs. 



Of the last yield, the production in the principal maize growing coun- 

 ties was as follows : — 



County. Bushels. County. Bushels. 



Tambo ' ... 155,1^4 no<,^on<,' ... i7'599 



Tanjil ... 124,^23 Benambra ... 11,688 



Croajingolony 06,255 l^uln Buln ... 10,560 



Dargo ... 83,070 Delatite .... 8090 



The total area under green fodder crops in Victoria is 60,000 acres, 

 the greater part of which is maize. 



In response to the numerous inquiries made by farmers as to the 

 comparative value per acre of growing maize, as against hay and other 

 cereal crops, it is easy to show the superior) t\- of maize, notwithstanding 

 the reduction in price which will follow a great increase in the quantity 

 produced. The straw of the cereals should be of some value, but as 

 a rule with few exceptions it is burned anci its fertilizing value dissi- 

 pated, except a minute proportion of ash. The strongest point to my 

 mind in favour of maize is that, being largclv fed mi the farm, it is in a great 

 measure restorative, while wheat or oats carried away from the farm with- 



