COARSE FEEDS, OR ROUGHAGE 105 



from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Gulf to Canada. 

 It is the universal crop of the Mississippi Valley, and furn- 

 ishes more food from an acre of ground than any other com- 

 mon crop. It is keenly relished by horses, cattle, and sheep, 

 both in the green state and as dried roughage. No other 

 plant in summer furnishes so much succulent feed as Indian 

 corn. Grown somewhat thickly, the stalks are finer than 

 common, and give a large yield of either green fodder or dried 

 forage that is quite completely eaten by cattle and horses. 

 In the North, corn produces a smaller plant than in the 

 South, and gives a smaller yield of forage. Very large, heavy 

 stalks, such as are frequently seen in the corn belt, are not 



Figure 23. Cutting corn with a harvester which ties the corn in bundles. 

 Photograph from Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. 



so desirable for feeding as those of more moderate size. 

 About one third of the digestible food is found in the stalk, 

 and two thirds in the ear. The complete cured plant and 

 ear is commonly known as corn fodder, and after the ear is 

 removed it is called corn stover. The dry stover, with the 

 help of a little grain, is valuable for roughing stock through 

 the winter, if much fattening is not desired. It is a bulky 

 feed, and should not be fed heavily to animals from which 

 much is expected. The plant contains the largest amount 

 of nutriment when the kernels on the ear are beginning to 

 glaze or harden, but it may be cut for feeding at any time 



