21 8 FARM CROPS 



until it has dried out thoroughly, when it can be 

 taken to the mower or placed in stacks convenient 

 to the feed lot. 



Begin cutting when some of the heads are pretty 

 well ripened, as it will not do to cut early before 

 the sugar begins to form in the juice. Do not be 

 afraid of making the shocks in the field too large. 

 There will be plenty of air space between the stalks 

 and the larger the shock the greener and fresher 

 the forage. Then, too, have no fear about the keep- 

 ing of the fodder in the field. It is coarse and will 

 turn water almost as well as a thatched roof. The 

 outside of the shock will bleach, but just beneath 

 the surface the fodder will be bright and green. 

 Where the crop is heavy the shocks will stand very 

 thick on the ground. 



The other method, and one rapidly growing in 

 favor, is to drill in rows and cut with the corn 

 binder. Make the bundles very small, not more 

 than 6 inches in diameter. Let them lie in the field 

 until pretty well cured out. This may take a week 

 or more if the weather is dry. It is best to be in no 

 hurry about standing them up. If rains come while 

 on the ground, the fodder is apt to be spattered with 

 mud. If one has the time it is very satisfactory to 

 stand, say, half a dozen bundles in a place and after 

 they have dried for a time, build into bigger shocks, 

 there practically being no limit, provided the tops 

 are tied tightly together so as to keep out the rain ; 

 or, as in some places where the fodder is to stand out 

 all winter, the tops are covered with bundles broken 

 at the bands as cap sheaves for small grain stock. 

 This method of harvesting is decidedly the best, 

 as the crop is so much more easily handled in bun- 

 dles than when loose. The bundles are hauled to 



