196 CORN 



When corn is to used as silage (Fig. 136) it should be cut after 

 the corn is nearly mature. It will then contain the maximum 

 amount of nourishment and will not sour iso badly in the silo. 



There are several types of corn-harvesting machines. A simple 

 form is to have a sharp blade attached to one side or at two sides 

 of a sled drawn between the rows by one horse. A. man on the 

 sled grasps the tops of the corn and draws them over onto the sled 

 as the knives cut them. A single knife on one side of the sled makes 

 it easier for the operator. A different form of this type of har- 

 vester has low trunion wheels to make the draft easier. 



Corn binders are much more complicated machines (Fig. 137). 

 They cut the corn by means of two blades between which the corn 



Fia. 137. This type of corn harvester cuts the crop, ties it in bundles and throws them to 

 one side. (Productive Farm Crops.) 



is forced by traveling chains operated on revolving wheels or 

 pulleys in the machine. When cut, the stalks are carried by chains 

 to the binder itself where they are tied automatically with binder 

 twine. The bundles may be dropped either singly or several in 

 one place. The economic use of a self-binder for corn harvesting 

 depends upon the number of acres of corn grown by the farmer. 

 The expense of the machine makes the investment more doubtful. 

 Joint ownership among neighbors sometimes solves this problem. 

 Seed Corn. The grower should go through the field just 

 before the main harvest and select the ears he is to. save for seed. 

 This should be dried and stored in a place where mice and rats 

 cannot molest it. See figures 138, 139 and 140. 



