STACKING CORN 85 



should be prepared in the same manner as for corn that is 

 grown for ears. Fodder corn is usuallj^ planted in single or 

 double drills from 36 to 44 inches apart, at the rate of from 20 

 to 50 pounds to the acre. It may be planted at almost any 

 time in the season up to midsummer, but it is desirable to 

 plant it early enough so that the plants can practically reach 

 maturit}^ before frost. 



As fodder corn is usually planted later in the season than 

 field corn, it grows very rapidly and quickly shades the 

 ground. It is, therefore, not generall}^ necessary to give 

 much cultivation. It is a verj^ common practice to harrow 

 the field after it is planted and then cultivate it two or three 

 times until the corn shades the ground sufficiently to check 

 the growth of weeds and retard the evaporation of moisture. 



105. Harvesting. Fodder corn is commonly harvested 

 with a corn binder when the crop shows, either by the small 

 ears that it ma}^ have produced or by the drying of the 

 leaves, that it is practically mature. If the weather is 

 exceedingly wet, it is sometimes necessary to shock first in 

 small shocks and later to put two or three of the small shocks 

 into one larger one. In shocking, it is desirable to employ 

 some sj^stem. It is a good plan to set up two pairs of bundles, 

 all leaning together, then to set l^undles around these in a 

 systematic manner until from 12 to 24 have been put into 

 the shock. Care should be used to put approximately the 

 same number of launches on each side and to set them up 

 firm and snug so that the shock will be evenly balanced and 

 will stand straight. The shocks should l)e tied securely 

 near the top to help in keeping out the rain and to prevent 

 them from being blown down. 



106. Stacking. Owing to the large percentage of mois- 

 ture eontained in fodder corn, it is seldom possible to stack 

 it so that it will keep, except in very cold weather. This 

 fact is one of the objectionable features of the crop. It may 

 be set on end one bundle deep in a mow or shed with perfect 



