THE DAIRY COW 159 



The shock corn after (hyino- contains 30 per cent, or less of 

 water. 



Harris, who was quoted previously says: ''Most feeders 

 are now aware of the fact that the silo will make from 20 

 to 25 per cent, more beef or mutton by saving the wastc^ 

 of corn stalks, or stover, and preserving its maximum 

 feeding value." To offset this one has the added expense of 

 the silo. Taking all things into consideration, it looks to the 

 author as if the silo should not be the first adjunct to the 

 livestock farm. While it is a good thing, there are other 

 things that are more necessary in getting started. After 

 one has a start and can afford it and wants to increase the pi'o- 

 ductive capacity of his farm, the silo is in order. 



It is sometimes said that silage is especially valuable on 

 account of its succulence or on account of the fact that it 

 contains considerable water. But water is water and the 

 water in the corn stalk is no better than the water in the well. 

 The latter can be pumped more cheaply than the former can 

 be hauled from the field. 



Time to Cut Corn for Silage. — Some people in the Northern 

 States grow a southern or fodder corn for silage or fodder 

 purposes. This is planted thick and produces no ears. B}- 

 this means a large amount of a roughage is produced per acre. 

 But this is not the best kind of feed on account of the imma- 

 ture stage at which the corn is cut. 



The corn plant is a machine in itself which develops for the 

 purpose of making the ear. When immature corn is put into 

 the silo, the plant is destroyed before it has had a chance to 

 do that for which it was developed. Scientific investigations 

 also have shown that an acre of corn will do the most work or 

 make feeds for animals the most rapidly immediately before 

 and up to the time the corn on the cob becomes dented and 

 glazed. 



To take this reasoning a step farther, the corn stalk is the 

 least digestible and the corn grain the most digestible of the 

 corn plant. Again, as pointed out previously, improved cattle 

 must have a liberal allowance of concentrates in their rations. 

 Besides, the corn plant is a carbohydrate feed. If, therefore, 

 the corn is allowed to grow well toward maturity and if then 



