144 SILAGE CROPS. 



The table given in the preceding, and our discussion so far, 

 have taken into account only the total, and not the digestible 

 components of the corn. 



It has been found through careful digestion trials that older 

 plants are somewhat less digestible than young plants. There is, 

 however, no such difference in the digestibility of the total dry 

 matter or its components as is found in the total quantities ob- 

 tained from plants at the different stages of growth, and the total 

 yields of digestible matter in the corn will therefore be greater 

 at maturity, or directly before this time, than at any earlier stage 

 of growth. Hence we find that the general practice of cutting corn 

 for the silo at the time when the corn is in the roasting-ear stage, 

 when the kernels have become rather firm, and are dented or be- 

 ginning to glaze, is good science and in accord with our best 

 knowledge on the subject. 



Other reasons why cutting at a late period of growth is prefer- 

 able in siloing corn are found in the fact that the quality of the 

 silage made from such corn is much better than that obtained 

 from green immature corn, and in the fact that the sugar is most 

 abundant in the corn plant in the early stages of ear development, 

 but the loss of non-nitrogenous components in the silo falls first 

 of all on the sugar, hence it is the best policy to postpone cutting 

 until the grain is full-sized and the sugar has largely been changed 

 to starch. 



It does not do, however, as related under Uniformity in the 

 first chapter to delay the cutting so long that the corn plant be- 

 comes too dry, for the reason stated. Silage does not spoil when 

 too wet, but will mold if too dry. Experience will be the best 

 guide, but the foregoing pages should enable the reader to form the 

 right idea as to time for filling, which to secure the best results 

 is nearly as important as to have material with \vhich to fill the 

 silo. 



Methods of Planting Corn. When the corn crop is intended for 

 the silo, it should be planted somewhat closer than is ordinarily 

 the case when the production of a large crop of ear corn is the 

 primary object sought. Thin seeding favors the development of 

 well- developed, strong plants, but not the production of a large 

 amount of green forage. The number of plants which can be 

 brought" to perfect development on a certain piece of land depends 



