60 WALL'S MANUAL 



be determined by the farmer himself, according to 

 the circumstances by which he is surrounded. The 

 first plan has the advantage of securing the fodder in 

 the most portabla and most valuable form. It is 

 especially desirable in places where hay is not easily 

 made; but it has the disadvantage of making a lighter 

 crop of grain. The reason of this is, that the growth 

 of the corn ceases almost entirely as soon as the 

 blades and tops are removed. The second plan, 

 cutting the stalks off at the ground, has the advantage 

 of securing the whole stalk for fodder and litter, 

 while the corn is well secured, provided the shocks 

 are made small, so that the air can circulate freely 

 and prevent molding. If the corn is to be ^suc- 

 ceeded by wheat, this is the only plan by which the 

 ground can be put in good condition for that purpose. 

 The chief disadvantage attending this plan, is the 

 heavy labor of cutting and stacking the corn, and 

 the inconvenience of handling the bulky mass of 

 fodder. The advantages of the third method are, 

 first, the saving of labor ; and secondly, of securing 

 the heaviest product of grain which the soil and 

 culture can produce. The disadvantages are, the 

 entire loss of the fodder, the greatly inferior value of 

 t\\Q stalks for improving the soil, below what would 

 r-esult from using them for litter in the barn yard. 



The crop of corn should be allowed to become as 

 thoroughly dry in the field as the season and the 

 time required for gathering will admit. Every 

 experienced farmer knows how readily corn becomes 

 musty when thrown into a large bulk, in a damp 

 condition. This often takes place around the cob, 

 when the external condition of the ear indicates 



