fiSaXY Oli INtlAX COEN, 171 



will live without them ; but if the cows are well fed with stalks in 

 the morning befoi'e they are put in the field, we can make the grass 

 in the field last much longer, and the cows will do better than they 

 will with a full supply of grass for a few days and then be cut short. 

 Working oxen will do well fed upon green stalks in September. I' 

 we wish to fit our oxen for the butcher, there is no way to do it cheap- 

 er than by feeding them well with green stalks, in addition to what 

 they get in the pasture. 



The fodder which is put in the barn should be used in the early 

 part of winter, for it is then better and is eaten more readily than it 

 is after it becomes thoroughly dry. 



Harvesting. 



When we have a cold season, and the corn is likely to be injured 

 by the frost, it is best to cut it up as soon as it begins to harden, and 

 stook it. In some parts of New England this is the uniform practice. 

 It has some advantage over that of topping the stalks : the fodder 

 is better, it can be removed from the field sooner, and the green and 

 poorer part of it is much better than it is when the top stalks are cut, 

 and it stands exposed to the frost. Many object to this method of 

 harvesting because it makes bad husking. When the corn is small 

 it can be harvested as cheap this way as the other. 



Some recommend this way when grass seed has been sown among 

 the corn, as the grass will not be shaded so long. But I prefer to 

 top the stalks, and thus let the sun in upon the grass ; if the corn is 

 stooked upon the grass it kills it under the stock, and if it is remov- 

 ed it is a good deal of labor to cart off fifteen tons of green corn, 

 which we sometimes have upon an acre. 



It is the usual method of harvesting, where the stalks have been 

 cut, to cut it up at the bottom, and cart it to the barn to husk. But 

 when the corn is large I prefere to break off the ears and carry them 

 to the barn and to get in the fodder when it is dry. 



AVhen the corn is housed it should be placed in bins where the air 

 can circulate freely, to prevent its moulding. 



After it has been safely housed, it may be proper to inquire as to 

 the best way and time for using it. It is now almost the universal 

 custom to grind it with the cobs for cattle and hogs. This is probab- 

 ly the best way. Does the corn ever possess any more nutriment 

 than it did at the time it was housed ? We know that a bushel of 



