Influence of the Stage of Growth 209 



Maize for silage (yield of dry matter per acre) 



New York Maine 



1889 1893 



Stage of growth Ibs. Ibs. 



Tasseled to beginning of ear 1,620 3,064 



Silked to some roasting ears 3,080 5,211 



Watery kernels to full roasting period . 4,640 6,060 



Ears glazing 7,200 6,681 



Glazed to ripe 7,920 7,040 



Red clover (yield of dry matter per acre] 



Pennsylvania 



1882 

 Stage of growth Ibs. 



In full bloom 3,680 



Some heads dead 3,428 



Heads all dead 3,361 



These data are convincing testimony as to the 

 growth of dry substance in certain forage crops up to 

 and including the period of ripening. Clover is an 

 apparent exception, but is probably not really so be- 

 cause after the heads begin to die there is an actual 

 loss of dry matter from the shedding of the leaves. 



It does not follow when a plant increases in its 

 yield of dry matter that its nutritive value has pro- 

 portionately increased. The end to be sought is the 

 largest possible quantity of available food compounds, 

 and it is entirely possible that changes in texture and 

 in the composition of the dry substance may partially 

 or fully offset the greater yield. With the meadow 

 grasses this undoubtedly happens. The dry matter of 

 mature grass contains a larger proportion of fiber than 

 the immature. The progressive increase of fiber as 

 the plant approaches ripeness is well illustrated by 

 analyses made at the Connecticut Experiment Sta- 



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