12 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 356 



Table 4-Composition of an Acre of Corn at Different Stages of 

 Maturity (Pounds per Acre) 



Stage of Green Dry Nitrogen-free 



Maturity Weight Weight Protein Fat Extract 



Tassel 26,702 4,307 388 47 2,288 



Milk 29,636 6,000 461 73 3,283 



Dough 25,209 6,669 501 142 4,002 



Glazed 21,138 6,910 533 161 4,213 



Ripe 16,106 6,612 495 145 4,030 



It should be noted that while this acre of corn reached its maximum green 

 weight in the milk stage, it gained approximately half a ton extra dry matter, 

 largely digestible, when advanced to the hard dough stage perhaps two weeks 

 later. If left until the full glazed stage, however, much of the grain will be so 

 hard that some kernels may pass through animals undigested. 



Corn for husking should preferably attain the ripe state, with leaves drying 

 up, before killing frosts to avoid undue spoilage which might follow either in the 

 stook or when the ears are finally cribbed. 



Controlling The Corn Borer 



The European corn borer is the most serious pest afTecting the plant. The 

 greenish white worm, about 1/2 to 2/3 of an inch long with brown head, develops 

 from eggs laid b\' moths. The worms tunnel in the stalks and tend to winter 

 over in the above-ground portions of corn stubble, stalks, or weeds left on the 

 surface of the ground. In the spring, they emerge as moths to renew the infesta- 

 tion. They are destroyed by efisiling corn, shredding or feeding it to livestock, 

 or by burning and by plowing under completely all trash and stubble in the fall. 

 Present regulations demand that all corn stubble be plowed under by December 1, 

 and stalks be destroyed by April 10. 



No borers are located in the underground portions of the plants. Therefore, 

 if all corn stalks are cut at or below the ground level so that no stubble remains 

 and if no waste stalks are left on the field, the plowing of such fields is not de- 

 manded. 



Using a special attachment on the binder for ground cutting, or using a hand 

 mattock or ordinary hoe with the handle shortened and bent slightly sidewise 

 to the blade, are common methods used in cutting corn to leave no stubble above 

 the ground. 



Only where stubble is thus removed and no trash is left can seeding down in 

 the last cultivation of corn be practiced without necessity for plowing the land, 

 according to the present requirements by law. 



Reducing Soil Erosion 



To reduce loss of soil by erosion, plant across rather than up and down the 

 slope. The rows soon established serve as dams to check runoff. The more 

 nearly level the rows are, following the contour of the slope, the more effective 

 is this measure of control. 



Likewise, to reduce runoff from plowing of the stubble, work the land across 

 the slope and if possible seed immediately a catch crop of rye, wheat, or barley, 

 2)4. to 3 bushels to the acre, as an effective measure to retard erosion. 



