CORRESPONDENCE OF F. E. LOUD. 67 



weeds clown, and to mix thoroughly the manure with the soil. The 

 corn was planted in drills, four feet apart, the kernels from five to 

 six inches apart in the drills. This was done with an Albany corn- 

 planter ; and, as often as the weeds began to show themselves, run 

 over it with a Thomas smoothing-harrow, until the corn was a foot 

 high : this kept them down, and the ground light. The season being 

 dry, I cultivated, once a week, till the corn covered the ground, 

 then used the hoe to keep the weeds out. 



QUES. What kind of corn do you think best to plant for ensilage? 



ANS. The variety planted was " Blunt 's Prolific ;" which grew 

 twelve feet high, on an average, when tasselled out. 



QUES. What time of the year do you think most suitable to plant 

 corn for ensilage ? 



ANS. I would state, that it is practicable to grow two crops on 

 the same land, by sowing winter rye in the fall, after the corn is har- 

 vested ; which will be ready to cut by the 1st of June, in season to 

 plant corn for the fall. 



QUES. About how much corn- fodder for ensilage do you average 

 per acre? 



ANS. The product of the field was twenty-five tons. Several 

 different square rods of the crop being weighed, the average of the 

 field would make that amount. On 12th of August began to cut and 

 pack in silo. 



QUES. What do you think is the best machine for cutting fodder 

 for ensilage ? 



ANS. The machine I used was the "Baldwin Hay Cutter, No. 

 15," driven by a portable steam-engine. All was cut and deposited 

 in fifteen hours' working time. There was some delay, as the 

 machine was new and untried. 



QUES. What length do you consider most suitable to cut corn- 

 fodder ? 



ANS. The corn was cut three-eighths of an inch long, and, as 

 fast as cut, well trodden down by two men constantly walking over it. 



QUES. Will you give me your experience with silo? 



ANS. A word about silos. They should be built one-half or 

 more underground, for the reason that the temperature is lower and 

 more even. 



QUES. Your experience with cutting and packing corn-fodder for 

 ensilage in the silos? 



ANS. As regards the storing of the corn, one man with a grass- 



