14 SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 



One about to experiment with ensilage is met at the 

 outset by the question, " What kind of corn shall I sow ? " 

 Here European experience is of no value as a guide, as 

 the varieties recommended there are not known here, and 

 we no doubt already have kinds of corn better suited to 

 the purpose than any known in Europe. 



In the majority of the experiments in this country, 

 thus far, the variety sown has been the Southern White, 

 or "Horse-tooth" Corn. A recent variety, "Blunt's 

 Prolific," has been highly commended, and a special kind 

 called "Mammoth Ensilage Corn" is advertised. 



The greatest possible weight to the acre of quickly- 

 grown and succulent herbage is required. When the 

 plant has completed its growth, and commences to pre- 

 pare for a crop of seed, it then becomes woody ; the nu- 

 tritive material in the stalk and leaves is diverted to the 

 grain, and there deposited in a different form. 



The production of varieties best suited for ensilage 

 will no doubt soon follow, if we have not already such. 



In January last the "American Agriculturist " figured 

 and described the " Cuzco," or " Peruvian Corn," which, 

 by its rapid and gigantic growth before showing either 

 tassel or ear, suggests that it may be useful in establishing 

 a variety of maize for ensilage, either through acclimation 

 by selection, or by crossing it upon other kinds of corn. 



The cultivation of fodder corn for ensilage is not dif- 

 ferent from that where the crop is to be cured in the 

 usual manner. The land being thoroughly prepared and 

 highly manured, is laid out in rows, twenty to thirty-six 

 inches apart, and the corn dropped four to eight kernels 

 to the running foot, the distances depending upon the 

 size of the variety. The subsequent culture is the same 

 as usual. Several mention the great utility of the Thomas 

 Smoothing Harrow in keeping the crop clean until it is 

 eight to twelve inches high, or too tall for this treat- 

 ment. Some have raised satisfactory crops without the 



