182 



INDIAN CORN. 



will be equivalent to sixty per cent, over the value of 

 the uncut fodder. 



This principle may be more fully expressed by the 

 following tabular form, indicating the increase in the 

 feeding value of stalks for different degrees of treat- 

 ment: 



The half-inch cutting is sometimes found objec- 

 tionable on account of the hard coating of the stalk 

 being liable to get between the teeth of the animal, 

 producing discomfort and occasionally soreness of the 

 mouth. This, it is said, may be to some extent pre- 

 vented by steaming, which softens the hard exterior 

 of the stalk. But far the best and surest way to ob- 

 viate the difficulty is to adopt the better practice of 

 chaffing finely and steaming. It is here that the 

 greatest advantage is found, and the greatest cer- 

 tainty of profitable results. 



Yet notwithstanding the facts and arguments re- 

 peatedly adduced in favor of cutting corn-fodder, 

 there are some practical farmers who reject this whole 

 doctrine, appealing to their individual experience as 

 a refutation of it. They assure us that cattle will 

 sometimes leave a portion of their stalks unconsumed, 



