DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



(4.) The corn-crop is seldom a failure. Corn is less subject to unfavourable 

 ->nal conditions than any other crop. Furthermore, it is comparatively free 

 from insect pests and fungus-dist 



TIME TO HARVEST. 



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It is of great importance to know at what stage corn should be cut to secure 

 the best results. The table which follows shows that it is of great advantage to 

 allow the corn to reach the glazing stage. 



Only seventeen days was occupied in passing from the milk to the glazing stage, 

 yet there was an increase in dry matter of 1.3 tons per acre. 



When the corn is in the glazed stage the bulk of the kernels are hard (and 

 dented, if a dent variety is used). The husks are turning yellow and the lower 

 leaves will be dry. 



The corn will keep better when cut at this stage. If it is cut earlier, too much 

 acid is inclined to develop. If too ripe, it does not settle properly and the air is 

 not sufficiently excluded to prevent spoiling. 



IMMATURE CORN. 



If the corn-crop has to be cut in a juicy, immature condition, better silage will 

 be made if the corn is allowed to dry out a short time before ensilaging. 



FROSTED CORN. 



Corn that has been frosted to any extent should be cut and put into the silo 

 immediately. Frosting seems to have no appreciable effect on the quality of the 

 silage if put into the silo without delay, providing enough water is added to take 

 the place of the loss due to frosting. If allowed to stand in the field for some time 

 after being frosted, poor silage will result. 



DRY CORN. 



To make good silage from corn that is very mature or corn that has stood in 

 the field for some time after cutting, water must be added. This can be accom- 

 plished by throwing water over the load before putting through the silage-cutter 

 or by turning a small stream of water into the cutter. When this is done, unless 

 considerable surplus power is available, clogging of the blower may result. The 

 objection of wetting the silage every few feet inside the silo is that it is difficult 

 to get the silage uniformly damp. If this last method is followed, plenty of water 

 should be used, particularly around the walls. 



FILLING THE SILO. 



Two types of machines are used in elevating the cut corn, the chain-carrier 

 and the blower. The blower is found more satisfactory and is fast displacing the 

 other type. In setting up the blower, care should be taken that the blower-pipe is 

 perpendicular. 



