INDIAN CORN AND THE SORGHUMS FOR FORAGE 201 



much per ton as normal corn silage for wintering beef breeding cows. 

 (789) For dairy cows its value was slightly lower, 61 per ct. that of 

 normal corn silage, in a trial by Morrison, Humphrey, and Hulce at the 

 Wisconsin Station. 12 (632) In recent trials corn stover silage has had 

 an even lower value for fattening cattle, compared with normal corn 

 silage. (781) 



301. Removing the ears before ensiling. Years ago it was recom- 

 mended that, instead of ensiling the entire corn plant, the ears be re- 

 moved and cured elsewhere, and only the stalks and leaves converted 

 into silage. This grain-free silage would then be fed along with more or 

 less of the grain separately saved. This matter was tested at the Wis- 

 consin Station 13 and at the Vermont Station 14 with adverse results, the 

 normal corn silage proving superior. (632, 781) 



302. Dry corn fodder. Tho not as palatable and valuable as corn silage, 

 corn grown thickly and cured as dry fodder while the leaves are yet 

 green makes a coarse hay of fair feeding value. Such fodder, with 

 bright, nutritious leaves and small palatable ears that are easily mas- 

 ticated, has a value not appreciated by most stockmen. Overlooking 

 the splendid qualities of corn as a forage plant, too many farmers have 

 become accustomed to growing this giant grass for the grain it yields, 

 using the stover as a straw to be fed or wasted as accident determines. 



As it is low in protein, corn fodder gives the best results when 

 legume hay forms part of the roughage, such a combination giving 

 excellent results with dairy cows, beef cattle, and sheep. (620-1, 771, 862) 

 Corn fodder is also an economical substitute for timothy hay with idle 

 horses, brood mares, and growing colts. (500) Corn fodder and stover 

 should be placed in large, well-made shocks, to reduce the losses by 

 weathering. Since the stalks stand almost vertical in the shocks, as the 

 leaves wilt there is ample room for the upward passage of air currents, 

 which rapidly dry the interior and check molds and fermentations. When 

 shock corn is pronounced "dry" by the farmer, it usually carries 

 more water and consequently less dry matter than hay, a fact which 

 should not be overlooked when feeding this forage. Care must be 

 taken that corn fodder or stover is well-cured before it is stacked, and 

 especially before it is stored in the mow, for musty, moldy forage is 

 not only unpalatable but even dangerous. In districts of the South 

 where it is exceedingly difficult to cure corn forage, the silo is par- 

 ticularly useful. 



303. Shock corn. Rather than husking corn and feeding the grain and 

 stover separately, sometimes shock corn is fed, the animals doing -their 

 own husking. Shock corn is decidedly inferior to corn silage, and gives 

 the best results with animals not being fed for high production, such 

 as cattle being carried thru the winter and idle horses. It is also 

 sometimes used for fattening cattle or sheep, particularly at the begin- 

 ning of the fattening period. (735, 771) 



12 Wis. Bill. 323^ p. 5. "Wis. Rpts. 1891. 1892. ,, . M Vt. Rpts. 1892, 1894. 



