116 FORAGE CROPS 



The longer the fodder stands, the harder and less 

 palatable it becomes, while if cut too early the 

 best yield of grain is not secured. After the grain 

 is hardened so that it is difficult to mash between 

 the thumb and finger, and there is apparently 

 little moisture in the seed, there will be very little 

 shrinkage in the grain. This would perhaps be 

 called "just past the hard- dough stage." If citt 

 earlier, the fodder will be better feed, but there 

 will be a considerable shrinkage in the grain. 



Methods of harvesting 



One thing that has kept this crop from being 

 more generally raised is the problem of harvesting. 

 There are a number of methods, and they all have 

 their merits. If the fodder is desired for feed, it 

 is perhaps best to cut stalk and all, and leave it in 

 the shock until dry. The best machine for accom- 

 plishing this is the corn-binder, which leaves it in 

 bundles of convenient size for handling, and the 

 fodder is held together. In the western and drier 

 regions, if not planted too thick, it does not 

 grow so high that it cannot bo cut with an ordi- 

 nary grain harvester, and this method is quite 

 extensively used. The ordinary corn sled may 

 also be used for cutting, and if the seed is to be 

 fed with the fodder, this is perhaps the most in- 

 expensive. 



