CULTURE OUTSIDE CORN BELT 173 



1. In saving fodder, details consist in stripping, 

 by hand, the entire stalk of its blades on their maturity ; 

 that is, at as late a date as possible consistent with the 

 prevention of the firing or parching of the blades them- 

 selves, in order to utilize their function as foliage to 

 the last moment, and prevent subsequent shrinking of 

 the grain on the ear. Fodder pulling is effected, ac- 

 cording to latitude and season, from the first of August 

 to the middle or even the last of September. When the 

 operator's hands are full of blades and he can hold no 

 more the quantity is termed a "hand," and is bound 

 rapidly with a twist and hung on a broken stalk to cure. 

 On gathering a day or so later, from three to four 

 hands, usually four, form a "bundle," which is also 

 bound with a few twisted blades. The bundle weighs 

 from one and three-fourths to two pounds, and forms 

 the staple "roughage" of southern draft stock. There 

 is nothing, indeed, more palatable or wholesome and 

 little that is more nutritious. Its necessary cost is its 

 chief objection. 



2. Stripping the lower stalk to the ear, or to the 

 first ear, if more than one, and leaving the blades on the 

 upper stalk intact to complete the development of the 

 grain, is another practice. Of course, much material 

 is thereby lost, and as has been recently proved, with- 

 out adequate return unless the ear is at the time 

 abnormally immature. 



3. Stripping the lower stalk as before but cutting 

 off the upper stalk and shocking the tips, until cured, 

 for rough cattle feed, was practiced largely. This is 

 more logical and rational. 



In handling, the ear left in the field pendent, 

 in situ, from the stalk, until fully mature, under 

 improvident management or inferior market facilities, 

 is frequently "slip-shucked" and carted to barn or crib. 

 More thrifty husbandry pulls shuck and all. In either 



