324 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



the one or the other system is followed, there are numerous 

 machines which will enable one to do the work at less ex- 

 pense than by hand. Many of these machines will put in 

 fertilizer as well as seed in a very satisfactory manner. 



Corn is a shallow- feeding plant, and its culture should be 

 confined to the surface. Z. Breed's weeder is one of the 

 best implements for use in the corn field that I know. This 

 is used to advantage whenever the weeds are seen to be 

 breaking the ground until the corn is a foot and a half high. 

 Thereafter a cultivator running not more than two or three 

 inches deep should be employed. For work upon a large 

 scale a two-horse implement can be recommended. 



Harvesting. 



The corn harvester appears to have been brought to such 

 a degree of perfection that its use is now profitable in large 

 fields. It cuts the corn and binds the bundles with cord. 

 In case of field corn, these bundles can easily be set up in 

 stooks. If for the silo, they are readily loaded, and, if a 

 cutter with sufficient power can be employed, they may be 

 run through without first breaking the bundles. 



The corn busker and fodder cutter combined is, in the 

 opinion of some, a success ; others have not found it so ; 

 and, as I have not had the opportunity to see the machine in 

 operation, I cannot pretend to decide upon its merits. I am 

 convinced, however, that good silage may be made from 

 stover cut and put into the silo as early as the corn can be 

 husked ; and, where grain and fodder are wanted for differ- 

 ent animals, I look upon the system with favor. The ears 

 can of course be picked by hand and the fodder cut and at 

 once put into the silo. 



It seems impossible to doubt, in view of the many favor- 

 able reports, that ensilage affords the best means of utilizing 

 the corn crop ; and, where the animals to be fed need so 

 much grain, it appears to be best to ensile ears as well as 

 stalks. Ensilage is enabling our farmers to rapidly increase 

 the number of cows kept and to produce milk at a lower 

 cost than ever before, and seems destined to raise still 

 higher in popular esteem that crop which has been well des- 



