THE DAIRY HERD 595 



Table VI Showing nutrients in corn plant at different stages 

 of growth. 



Dry matter, 



Stage of growth. per acre 



(tons) 



Fully tasseled 0.8 



Fully silked 1.5 



Kernels watery to full milk 2.3 



Kernels glazing 3.6 



Ripe 4.0 



This table teaches an important lesson, and should dis- 

 courage farmers from cutting young, immature corn, 

 either for silage or soiling purposes. 



Postponing the cutting until the corn has reached the 

 denting or glazing stage also makes silage of better qual- 

 ity. At this stage the plant is less watery and the sugar 

 has been largely converted into starch, thus preventing 

 excessive fermentation and the formation of an undue 

 amount of acid in the silage. 



Filling the Silo. When the corn reaches the right 

 stage of maturity, it should be cut at once and hauled 

 from the field to the silo, where the entire plant, ears and 

 all, is run through an ensilage cutter or shredder, cutting 

 it into pieces from l / 2 to I inch long. The ensilage cut- 

 ters are provided with carriers which carry the silage to 

 any height desired in the silo. 



Where silos are rapidly filled, not less than two men 

 should remain constantly in the silo, leveling and dis- 

 tributing the silage. This is necessary to insure uniform 

 silage and an even settling. The silage should also be 

 tramped, especially along the edge of the silo where, ow- 

 ing to the friction of the wall, it will not settle as readily 

 as elsewhere. 



In case of rapid filling it is best also to leave the silage 



