48 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



growing its butt-stalk leaves, every part of it, from tip to 

 root, is as good as any part is when the ears are formed. 



There are two ways to grow good fodder-corn, and the 

 way Dr. Nichols recommends is one of them. He says, "We 

 must sow our corn — the sweet variety — in drills, and not sow 

 it too thick." One reason why we get good fodder in this 

 way is, by sowing thin in drills, the corn has a chance, after 

 it has grown its butt-stalk leaves, to go right on growing top- 

 stalks and husks, and if we begin to use it before the top- 

 stalks and husks have poured their contents into the ear, we 

 get the same quality of fodder that we get before the butt- 

 stalk leaves discharge their contents. 



Another reason is, by using the sweet variety, the stalks 

 do not become as hard and indigestible as when the harder 

 varieties of corn are sown. 



But my cows, and the French chemists, tell me there is a 

 way to get as good fodder, and in about one-half of the time, 

 and that is to sow Southern or Western corn thick, and use 

 it before it has finished growing its butt- stalk leaves. 



There are two ways to have very poor fodder-corn. One 

 is to sow it thick and not use it before the stalks have hard- 

 ened. If the corn is very thick, it cannot go on and make 

 the perfect growth of top-stalks and husks which make such 

 good food when it is thin. 



Another way is to sow the Western corn thin, and let it 

 stand until the ears are formed, and the butt-stalks are too 

 long for cordwood, but not quite large enough for good saw- 

 logs. The same principle of discharging the contents of the 

 leaves applies to Dr. Loring's rowen. As I understand the 

 laws of growth, the object of the first growth of leaves in 

 the season is to help grow seed-stalks and mature seed ; but 

 as far as the welfare of the plant is concerned, the late growth, 

 or rowen, is mainly to strengthen the roots for the next 

 season. 



Mr. Johnson of Framingham, at the same meeting in Fall 

 River, said, "August is the time for our grass to start for 

 next year." Very few farmers as yet give the grass roots the 

 benefit of that start, or anything as a substitute for it. Rowen 

 may become over-ripe for fodder, as well as the first growth, 

 or as fodder-corn may ; but the contents of the leaves, instead 



