174 THE BOOK OF CORN 



case the corn is generally stored in the shuck, contrary, 

 of course, to the northern and western custom, and 

 husked as needed for daily consumption, or, as in ante- 

 bellum days, in the periodical and picturesque "corn 

 shuckings" of song and story. These, however, are 

 almost traditionary. The times have changed and 

 more practical, if less romantic conditions prevail. 



What forms under the new practice the great bulk 

 of the conserved stover, was, and under old methods 

 still is, lost, except for the casual benefit yielded to the 

 soil by its gradually decomposing organic matter. Left 

 standing in the field it was (at best) in preparation 

 for the ensuing crop, threshed down and turned under 

 on breaking the land. More commonly, however, haste 

 and improvidence prevail, and the stalks are wind- 

 rowed or piled, and burned incontinently, only their 

 mineral content of plant food availing a return, and 

 even that irregularly distributed or concentrated in the 

 ash pile. Surely there can exist no vestige of regret 

 that at length the southern public has awakened from 

 its lethargy and is now keenly alive to the fact that 

 there is a saving alternative. 



The New Way — Light out of darkness is due to 

 the advent of the corn shredder. Its mission has just 

 begun, but the beginning is good and its future prog- 

 ress will be sweeping, complete, triumphant. It is im- 

 possible, whatever the connection, to ignore the value 

 of the shredder, the part it bears and the work it is 

 doing, and has to do, as a factor in the progress and 

 advancement of southern agriculture. 



While the silo has accomplished much, the shredder 

 is destined to effect even more. Its importance cannot 

 be overestimated, for it is revolutionizing quietly, but 

 effectually, an enormous industry in a dozen common- 

 wealths. What it means in one state, alone, of the 

 twelve, and for one season, let the following statement 



