36 AMERICAN DAIRYING. 



silage. I now plant ten quarts, which gives an 

 ear on most of the stalks, I believe this is 

 more economical than to grow more fodder 

 and then feed more ground feed. I find the 

 cows digest all the corn when it is put in the 

 silo at the denting and glazing stage. I do not 

 believe it pays to husk, shell and grind the 

 corn for cows when we have a silo, as I fail to 

 find any loss when put in at the proper time, 

 for the cows, judging from the appearance of 

 the droppings, digest all of the ears. 



The cow the best judge. I believe the best 

 guide as to the proper stage of maturity to have 

 the corn when put into the silo is the cow, and 

 the desirable point is shown by watching the 

 work of the cow. My experience has taught 

 me that it is between the denting and glazing 

 stage. If it goes much past the glazing stage 

 the cow will not digest it all. 



A feeding problem. Frequently when ex- 

 amining my cows and their work in the past 

 when feeding shocked corn, cut ears and fodder 

 together I have noticed the large quantity of 

 undigested corn in the manure and have asked 

 myself the question: "Can we afford to let the 

 cow employ her digestive machinery on food 

 that she does not chew and digest?" My 

 opinion is that we cannot. I am confident she 

 does not do as profitable work for her owner as 

 when she has the food in a condition that she 



