PRESERVATION OF IsIAIZS 259 



fermentative processes. What the losses are in general prac- 

 tice cannot be accurately stated. Different stations have fre- 

 quently reported losses of twenty per cent It is probable that, 

 with tlie proper construction and filling of the silo, and begin- 

 ning to feed as soon as filled, the loss will not exceed ten to 

 tsvelve per cent. 



348. Loss of Maize Fodder by Curing. — Experiments at the 

 Wisconsin, Vemiont^ and Pennsylvania- Stations show a loss 

 of nineteen to twent}'-one per cent of the dry matter of maize 

 fodder from field curing. Maize fodder cut when nearly ripe 

 lost about five per cent more than fodder cut when maize was 

 in the roasting-ear stage, evidently due to the large amount of 

 soluble carbohydrates in the former. (351) The loss, when 

 stored in the barn October 29th, was cne per cent greater than 

 when allowed to stand in the field until December iSth. Ears 

 cured upon the stalk with as little loss of dry matter (eight to 

 ten per cent) as if picked and dried, but when put in the silo 

 the loss of dr}' matter in grain was considerably greater. While 

 not economical on account of labor involved, the loss of dry 

 matter could apparently be reduced somewhat by husking ears 

 and placing only the remaining portion in the silo. The losses 

 of the maize plant, both in field curing and ensiling, are largely 

 in the carbohydrates other than fiber. 



349. Time of Harvesting will depend upon whether the 

 maize is grown for ears alone; for both ears and stover or 

 fodder ; or whether for silage. When grown for the ears alone, 

 the plant is not only allowed to ripen, but the ears allowed to 

 remain on the standing stalks until they have become dr}- 

 enough to be placed in storage, which usually requires about a 

 month after maize is ripe, or after the first killing frost. When 

 stover is to be harA-ested, it is customary and desirable to allow 



* VL Rpt 1894, p. 171. 

 ' Fenn. RpL 1892, p. 43. 



