137- 



farmers, ulio liavc only a small quantity, may make it a prac 

 tice to feed it without drying. The corn and butts arc then 

 harvested together, and the ears are husked at once to prevent 

 heating. Some people, however, husk their corn from the 

 stalks in the field before they are cut, throwing the ears into 

 sarts and carrying them directly to the bins. 



All this is different from ways that are adopted in other lo- 

 calities, in neighboring counties. There the whole stalks are 

 cut at the ground, with the ears on them, and are strongly 

 placed in well-ventilated stacks where they can be fully exposed 

 to the drying influence of air and wind. This is done when 

 the ears have become well glazed. When well dried these 

 whole stalks are taken to the barn to be husked and separated. 



1 find this latter method most recommended by writers on 

 Agricultural subjects, and reasons are advanced why it will 

 produce the best quality of stover. These reasons are explain- 

 ed by the following, taken from L. F. Allen's " American Farm 

 Book:"— 



" If there be no danger of early frost, the corn may be suf- 

 fered to stand until fully ripe ; though if the stalks are de- 

 signed for fodder, they should be cut when the grain is well 

 glazed, and this should be done in all cases when frost is ex- 

 pected. Scarcely any injury occurs either to leaf or grain if 

 the corn be stocked, when both would be seriously damaged 

 from the same exposure if standing. The stalks of corn 

 should never be cut above the ear, but always near the ground, 

 and ibr this obvious reason : The sap which nourishes the grain 

 is drawn from the earth, and passing through the stem enters 

 the leaf where a change is eflected analogous to what takes 

 place in tlio lilood when brought to the surface of the lungs in 

 the animal system ; with this peculiar difference, however, that 

 while the blood gives out carbon and absorbs oxygen, plants, 

 under the influence of light auvd heat, give out oxygen and ab- 

 sorb carbon. This change prepares the sap for condensation 

 and conversion into grain. But the leaves which thus digest 

 the food for the grain are above it, for it is while passing down- 



