200 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



maturity in the average season. To secure a large tonnage, he will plant 

 the crop somewhat more thickly than for grain production, but yet so as 

 to secure a relatively large proportion of grain to roughage. He will thus 

 secure a rich silage which will materially reduce the amount of concen- 

 trates required for his stock. 



In late seasons it is best to let corn stand till after frost rather than 

 ensile it too green, for satisfactory silage can be secured from frosted 

 corn, and the crop may mature to a considerable extent before a 

 severe frost comes. If the crop is killed by frost, it should be ensiled 

 quickly, for the storm which usually soon follows will wash out much 

 nutriment from the frosted forage, and the wind will also whip off 

 the dried, brittle leaves. If the plants dry out before all the crop can 

 be ensiled, water should be added as the silo is filled, to insure the 

 necessary fermentations that preserve the silage. When corn is ruined 

 by drought, the silo is likewise the best means of saving all possible feed- 

 ing value in the crop, water of course being added to the forage as it is 

 ensiled. 



300. Corn fodder or stover silage. It has been found that cured corn 

 forage, when cut into the silo, thoroly moistened, and well-packed will 

 undergo fermentation similar to that which occurs with green material 

 and may be preserved in a satisfactory manner. 9 Tho usually less 

 palatable than silage from green corn, this product has considerable 

 silage odor and is readily consumed by stock, with less waste than is dry 

 fodder or stover. This method is now followed by many farmers, 

 especially in the plains region, some even filling their silos three times a 

 year in the fall with green corn or sorghum, and later with the cured 

 forage. The essential points in the process are to add enough water so 

 the material will pack well and then to tramp it down with especial 

 thoroness ; otherwise the mass will spoil. Tho the water may be applied 

 to the cut material in the silo, more even moisture distribution is possible 

 and hence better silage is produced when a stream of water is run into 

 the blower, thereby wetting the cut fodder before it reaches the silo. 

 Eckles found at the Missouri Station 10 that only about one-third of the 

 total amount of water needed will be taken up by the dry fodder as it 

 passes thru the blower. The remainder should be sprinkled over the 

 fodder in the silo as it is filled. Due to the widely varying water content 

 of field-cured corn forage, it is impossible to state definitely the amount 

 of water to be added in such cases. Some recommend adding about an 

 equal weight of water to the forage, others add just enough so that water 

 may be squeezed out of the cut material. 



As corn stover silage lacks the corn grain, it is worth decidedly less 

 per ton than normal corn silage. It is better suited for wintering breed- 

 ing cows or stock cattle than for feeding milk cows or fattening cattle 

 or sheep, which need considerable concentrates. In trials by Rusk at the 

 Illinois Station 11 corn stover silage has been worth about two-thirds as 



9 Del. Rpt. 1903; Vt. Bui. 170. 10 Mo. Cir. 71. "Information to the authors. 



