56 FOOD FOR PLANTS 



not Utilized as they should be, although when well 

 cured they are equivalent in food value, on the dry 

 matter basis, to good timothy hay. 



In planting Indian corn for grain we doubtless 

 often plant the seed too thick. 



Silage. 



When grown for silage, the object is to secure the 

 largest amount of digestible matter per acre. Hence, 

 varieties with larger stalk and leaf are generally 

 used and the corn planted much closer together and 

 thicker in the rows, but not so thick as to prevent 

 many of the stalks from producing ears. When cut 

 when the ears are beginning to glaze, good crops will 

 oftentimes yield as much as 5,000 to 6,000 pounds of 

 dry matter per acre. Larger amounts of plant food 

 than for grain are required, as a rule, in order that 

 the vegetative functions may be increased, hence on 

 most soils, even in a good state of fertility, applica- 

 tions of fertilizers are necessary, more particularly 

 those containing Nitrogen. 



Soiling. 



In growing corn for soiling, the object is to obtain 

 the largest amount of succulent food per acre, which 

 may be completely eaten by the animal. Hence, for 

 soiling, quick-growing varieties, with a large propor- 

 tion of leaf and small stalks, are grown and planted 

 thicker than for silage, and still greater care in the 



