86 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



casioned by weathering may be prevented, and at the same 

 time, the material is put in a form to be more readily and 

 completely used in feeding. Where many animals are to be 

 fed, the gain in feeding material will more than equal the 

 additional expense. Besides, the inconvenience of subsequent 

 handling, especially in cold weather, is avoided. 



Second, husking in the field: This work may extend over a 

 period beginning with the hardened grain and lasting until 

 after frost. Later the standing stalks may be utilized for 

 feeding cattle or other farm animals. If it is so used, there is 

 a much greater waste of fodder than when it is shredded. 

 It is estimated that 25 per cent of the protein, and 37 per 

 cent of the entire digestible nutrients of the corn plant are 

 in the stalks and leaves. This fact should be considered in 

 handling corn crops for profitable feeding. 



Third, silage: If com is to be extensively fed, to cattle 

 especially, the method of preserving corn in a silo has many 

 advantages. There is less loss of feeding material; animals 

 relish it better than corn harvested in any other way; it is 

 as easily handled as shredded fodder. It should be harvested, 

 before frost, when the grain is well glazed and beginning to 

 harden. At this point the total digestible matter is about 

 20 per cent greater than when the corn is fully ripe. 



The principle of making silage is simple. The silo itself 

 is preferably a tall, air-tight cylinder ten to twenty feet in 

 diameter, twenty to forty feet in height. The size depends 

 somewhat upon the average number of animals to be fed. 

 It is essential that a layer of at least three inches be removed 

 each day after feeding is begun, otherwise some of the top 

 layer will spoil. The inside walls of the silo should be perfectly 

 smooth, in order that the contents may be thoroughly packed 

 to exclude air. A special machine, or silage cutter, is neces- 



