2t)0 



THE CEREALS IN AMERICA 



the plant to become as ripe as is possible without the leitves 

 falling off before or during the operation of shocking. The 

 ears should be all, or nearly all, dented or glazed, the husks 

 dry, and the leaves from one-third to one-half green. When cut 

 for silage, it is necessary to cut a little greener in order that the 

 mass may pack and sufficiently exclude the air. This condi- 

 tion is reached when many, but not all, the ears have become 

 dented, a portion of the husks dry, and the bottom three or four 

 leaves dry, with the rest still green. On the other hand, up to 

 this stage of maturity, the greener the maize the greater the loss 

 in the silo. 



There are six advantages in allowing the plant when intended 

 for silage to arrive at the stage of maturity indicated: (i) 

 greater yield of water-free substance ; (2) less weight to handle ; 

 (3) less loss in silo ; (4) superior composition ; (5) greater 

 digestibility ; (6) greater palatability ; resulting in a greater 

 feeding value per acre at less cost. The following table shows 

 the influence of maturity upon w^eight of fresh and dry sub- 

 stance and loss in the silo : 



350. Influence of Maturity Upon Yield. — There is no relation 

 between the apparent size of the maize plant, as, for example, 

 height, and the weight of dry matter. When the plant is in full 



