44 ON COMPARATIVE VALUE OF CROPS. 



The experience of some of the Committee In distributing several 

 tons of this kind of fodder to a flock of thirty or forty cows, daily, 

 for several successive years, during the season of its production, has 

 left great doubts of its value ; especially in increasing the quantity 

 of milk. This crop is abundant and very easily grown. It is readily 

 and greedily devoured by the animal. It may be used advantage- 

 ously to save the pastures from being too closely fed. But if the 

 produce of the animals is not essentially increased by the feed, then 

 the labor of growing, gathering and distributing, is in a great meas- 

 ure lost. We will not presume to speak positively, for we have not 

 made those careful observations necessary to warrant this ; but so far 

 as we have observed, in superintending one of the largest milk farms 

 in the vicinity of Salem, (the Pickman farm, so called) our impres- 

 sions are that much less benefit is derived from this kind of feed, 

 than is usually ascribed to it. Some benefit may accrue from the 

 cultivation of corn in this manner, by the aid it afibrds in pulverizing 

 the soil, and better fitting it for the crop the ensuing season ; espe- 

 cially if a dressing of manure is applied at the time of planting, and 

 well harrowed in. Vigilant attention will thus enable the tenant of 

 a few acres, to realize two crops, where but one ordinarily grows. 



In expressing a quere as to the expediency of cultivating Indian 

 corn, to be used green^ for the soiling or feeding of cattle, it is done 

 more to aAvaken attention to the subject, than because of confidence 

 in our present impressions. We are aware of the recommendations 

 that have been given to this crop, in our own publications, and by 

 those whose opinions we regard as of the highest authority. To be 

 consistent, therefore, it is proper to advert to these, until the 

 question shall be definitely settled by well conducted experiments. 

 In remarks upon premiums offered for soiling in 1823, Col. Pickering 

 observes, that "Indian corn will be well grown for soiling by the mid- 

 dle of July, and will continue green and in full sap until the last of 

 August. In order to continue a supply of this rich green food, to 

 which probably no other vegetable of our country is equal, especially 

 for milch cows, pieces of land may be planted in succession, so that 

 some may be in full sap to the last of September." The same dis- 

 tinguished practical observer remarks, in the last communication he 

 made to the Society, Sept. 25, 1828 : 



"The great value of Indian corn stalks, in their green state, for 

 feeding cattle, milch cows especially, I have before mentioned," al- 



