MAIZE. 



93 



stead of a large percentage being lost through wind and tramp- 

 ing ; it is of assistance in controlling the stalk-borer ; earlier 

 winter ploughing is made possible, and the quantity for winter 

 feeding is better regulated. When fully mature, ears infected 

 with Diplodea zea often fall to the ground, and when eaten by 

 cattle give rise to a disease, which in Natal has caused severe 

 losses. These losses would be obviated by this method of 

 harvesting. 



(2) For Silage. — Ensilage is the process through which 

 green and succulent materials are preserved by placing them 

 in airtight chambers, where, through fermentation, putrefac- 

 tion is checked and the mass caused to retain practically all its 

 nutritive value and palatability. Maize should be cut when 

 fairly mature and containing a large percentage of moisture 

 (about 75 per cent). The starch and the sugars as well as the 

 total weight increase towards maturity. 



The stage at which the crop should be harvested is indi- 

 cated by the following experiment." 



The use of very immature material was at first advocated, 

 but subsequently the silage from mature maize was found to 

 be better in quality and to give a larger quantity per acre. 

 Silage to keep well, though, must pack closely, and as nearly 

 as possible all air must be excluded. " Maize too mature can- 

 not pack closely enough, though sprinkling with water and care- 

 ful tramping will allow of the ensilaging of maize even when 

 more than half the ears might be considered ripe. As a general 

 rule, when the husks have mostly turned yellow and the kernels 

 are glazing is the proper time, the leaves and stem will still 

 contain a certain amount of chlorophyll." 



Late maturing dent varieties, e.g., Natal White Horse- 

 tooth and Potchefstroom Pearl, will give the largest tonnage 

 per acre, and are therefore chiefly grown for this purpose ; 



