CORN 



109 



are known as fodder corn. The stalks without the ears 

 are called corn stover. 



The Silo and Silage. An air-tight receptacle or building, 

 for the preservation of succulent fodder is called a silo. 

 The fodder preserved in a silo is known as silage. Other 

 plants, like clover, alfalfa, oats, peas, or almost any other 

 green plant, can be used, 

 but corn is the most com- 

 mon plant used for silage. 

 When the ears commence 

 to harden the whole plant DECAYED 



SILAGE ~ 



is cut up very fine, and 

 packed thoroughly. It is 

 important to pack the si- 

 lage well to keep out the air. 

 If air is admitted, the si- 

 lage decays and thus be- 

 comes unfit for food. The 

 silage at the top of a silo 

 decays and forms a pasty 

 mass, which prevents the 

 air from passing through 



,i | i | FIG. 61. Section of a silo. Feeding is done from 



to the material below. the top. 



This thin layer of decayed silage serves as an air-tight 



cover for the silo. 



Fodder corn loses nearly one-fourth in digestible matter 

 when cured in the field. In a deep, well-built silo, the loss 

 is less than one-tenth. Silage is more palatable than dry 

 fodder, and animals will eat more. Even the harder and 

 coarser parts of the stalk, because cut when green, are 

 eaten. The feeding value of an acre of corn when fed in 



