154 FORAGE CROPS 



Varieties of corn for silage 



For the eastern, central west and southern 

 states, the larger-growing varieties, as the South- 

 ern White, Horse Tooth, Mastodon, or those gen- 

 erally recommended by seedsmen, are preferable, 

 giving a larger yield of actual dry matter per acre 

 than the smaller - growing varieties, if only they 

 mature sufficiently in average seasons before frost. 

 Farther north, the flints, as Thoroughbred White, 

 or the ordinary yellow varieties, and a number of 

 the quick - growing dent varieties, are recom- 

 mended, because the crop can be more completely 

 matured before danger of frost. 



Preparation of land, and seeding 



As in the case of other forage crops, the prepa- 

 ration of soil is very important. Early plowing, 

 and a deep and thorough preparation of land are 

 important in securing a quick and complete germi- 

 nation and rapid early growth. Manuring should 

 be liberal and supplemented by fertilizers. While 

 all this is expensive when large areas are grown, 

 nevertheless it is a paying procedure because of 

 the very much larger quantity of feed material 

 that may be grown per acre. It costs no more, 

 for example, to buy land, to furnish seed, to plow, 

 and to make the ordinary cultivations for a crop 



