Indian Corn as a Forage Plant. 



171 



246. Losses in field curing. — Since corn forage gathered into 

 shocks (stooks) presents a considerable surface to the weather, 

 losses must occur through washing by rains and wasting of the 

 leaves by the wind. It has been found, however, that larger 

 losses occur in shock corn than is possible from this cause alone. 



At the Wisconsin Station, WolP determined the dry matter 

 and protein in a crop of com when it was cut and shocked, and 

 again after the shocks had cured and been exposed to the weather 

 for several months. The investigation extended over four years, 

 with the results given in the table: 



Losses of sJioek com in field — Wisconsin Station. 



Average for two varieties, total weight.. 



Dry matter 



Protein 



Results of four years' work. 



Dry matter 



Protein 



Green Cured 

 fodder, fodder. 



Lbs. 



129,014 



32,432 



2,581 



72,164 

 5,706 



Lbs. 



31,738 



23,270 



1,682 



54,937 

 4.317 



Loss. 



Lbs. 



9,162 



17,227 

 1,389 



Per cent 



28.3 

 34.8 



23.8 

 24.3 



We are told of a loss of nearly one-fourth of dry matter and 

 protein which the crop contained at harvest time by preserving 

 com forage in the usual manner. This seems incredible, but the 

 subject has been studied by too many Stations with unanimity of 

 results to admit of further question. Cooke ^ has shown that 

 heavy losses occur in shock corn in the dry climate of Colorado. 

 The substances lost through wasting are protein and nitrogen-free 

 extract (sugar, starch, etc.), the more valuable portions of the 

 forage. Nor is it possible to entirely prevent these losses by 

 placing the cured fodder under shelter or in the stack, for it has 

 been found that the forage continues to waste even under these 

 favorable conditions. 



At this time we are unable to state through what instrumen- 

 tality all these losses are brought about. Some substance is washed 

 away by rain, and the winds carry off exposed leaves and parts 

 of the stalks on the outside of the shocks, but these sources of loss 



» A Book on Silage. 



» Bui. 30, Colo. Expt. Sta. 



