1859. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



399 



For the New England Farmer. 

 CORN AND CORN FODDER. 



In the monthly Farmer for March is an article 

 on "Corn and Corn Stalks," by W. Bacon. I 

 ^ully endorse his preference for the "old fogy" 

 way of topping the corn, both on account of the 

 grain and the fodder, and also the labor of har- 

 vesting. 



I have tested the matter to my entire satisfac- 

 tion by cutting up at the roots and shock'ng a 

 part of my corn each year for several years past. 

 When severe frost is ap])rehended, the "new 

 way" may be advisable, but in all other cases I 

 much prefer that my corn should ripen the "nat- 

 ural way." 



I place a high estimate upon the value of corn 

 '"odder for stock, and much has been said and 

 written upon the best mode of curing it. The 

 ,,ay which I prefer and practice is this: — when 



heard my mother remark that she looked upon 

 ihdil first crop of corn, when in the field and in 

 the chamber, with more satisfaction than upon 

 any succeeding crop, though many times as large. 

 While many of our crops, from causes known 

 and unknown, deteriorate as the land grows old- 

 er, the corn crop, from improved cultivation, has 

 continued to improve, until reports of 80, 90, or 

 even 100 bushels to the acre, have ceased to cre- 

 ate surprise. 



"y%e golden, corn" has drawn inspiration from 

 some of our most talented poets, but even a 

 Longfellow cannot give it a richer dress than its 

 own bright hue. J. Wood. 



Itoyalstou, July, LS59. 



For the Neiv Kngland Farmer. 

 LETTERS FROM MAINE — No. 3. 



.he tassel has become dry and the kernel well '*W''«^-'^'"'^« ^''''''*"''Tr^^is°to Grow''*i'r ^''""^^'^ '"*''"■'' ""* 

 glazed, I cut off the stalk above the ear, laying! 



the stalks of two hills together. When wilted Ij I read with much interest the observations and 

 bind and pike them in the field, letting them re- 1 speculations of several correspondent-; of the 

 main, if the weather be favorable, ten or \.-w^\\e^ Fanner, who seem to be devoting particular at- 

 days, then cart to the barn, hanging them on Mention to the subject of fruit culture. I, too, 

 poles or setting up under the roof. i would show my opinion, and propose in my pres- 



I find that my cattle eat them better if cured; ent communication to discuss the subject of ap- 

 in this way, than if hung up in the barn as soon! pie-tree philosophy. 

 as bound, or if dried wholly in the field. j One writer contends that apple trees ought to 



As I husk my corn mostly evenings,! begin so! be planted in the seed where they are designed 

 early in the season that the husks and butts to grow, as transplanting injures the tree and 

 would mould too much, if I did not mix with makes it shorter lived. This theory he supports 

 them a quantity of straw or poor hay. I also | by the fact that trees which came up accidental- 

 salt them freely. jly by the sides of fences, &c., prove to be more 



]\ly cattle being judges, the fodder is better I healthy and longer-lived than those which are 

 cured in this way than when all is cut up togeth-' raised in nurseries and transplanted into orch- 

 er and exposed to the weather the usual time al-iards. 



lowed in such cases. Perhaps it is because theyj I will noi dispute the fact alleged, but I will 

 have failed to "get the hang of it," which I am I account for it in a diff"erent manner. Trees which 

 sometimes told is the reason why I think the la- come up accidentally in the situation alluded to 

 bor greater to harvest corn which is shocked, grow very slowly for a number of years, and al' 

 than that which is topped. jslow growing trees are hardier than those which 



While I agree with your correspondent in soigrow more rapidly. Even if such trees, after a 

 many things, I must dissent from his opinion j while, become rapid growers they preserve the 

 that it is better to feed out all the corn stover in i peculiar condensed cellular texture of wood and 

 early winter, to the exclusion of other fodder. I bark which was at first the result of slow growth. 

 Fed out exclusively it is too laxative, and noth-'When an apple seed germinates and sends forth 

 ing but the husks will be eaten ; but a few fod-|its first leaves, or perhaps the first ten or twelve 

 derings a week, from November to Aj)ril will: Waves, it has a tender herbaceous stalk, and if 

 tend to keep the bowels of the cattle in a looselthe soil or culture force the growth, while 'v, this 

 and healthy condition, especially if you have] state, the sap cells become large, and when the 

 much straw or poor hay to feed out. A few corn! stem hardens to wood this peculiarity is pre- 

 butts, through the winter and spring, occasional- j served and transmitted to every succeeding part 

 ly, will be chewed with a relish. of the tree, and even to the fruit. Hence the 



From my own experience I am led to believe j fact that trees from some nurseries will produce 

 that the well secured fodder from loO to 200j fruit of different average size and flavor from 

 bushels of corn, fed out judiciously, to a stock of those which are raised in another nursery. Nur- 

 25 head, is nearly as valuable as an equal weight series which are not forced the first year will pro- 

 of medium quality hay. duce trees of firmer wood, slower growth, hardi- 



It is often and truly said, that the value of the er character, smaller fruit, and fruit of finer grain 

 turn crop can hardly be overestimated. It is ajthan the average of forced nurseries, 

 native grain, and, on a large proportion of ourj Will not this account for the longer life of ap- 

 soils, the surest crop which can be cultivated, pie trees which originate under disadvantageous 

 The farm on which I have always resided, was, circumstances ? Another cause may likewise have 

 purchased by my father when covered with its a share in producing the effects under considera- 

 native forest. He was told that he must not ex- tion. The mechanic knows that "pasture oaks" 

 ^ ect to raise corn ; and when, after a few years,! — as lone trees growing in fields and pastures are 

 he ventured to plant a small patch, and succeed- [sometimes called — make tougher timber than 

 ed in raising /i/ifeert bushels of ears, he felt that trees taken from groves. The firmer texture of 

 his land had an unexpected value. I have often I the wood is the result of the shaking and bend- 



