458 



MAIZE 



CHAP. 

 XI. 



reined)' — the maize should be cut rather younger. If, how- 

 ever, it has already become a little too old before it has been 

 practicable to cut it, the condition may be improved by pour- 

 ing a little water over the mass while the silo is being filled, 

 or by adding a little succulent material — such as green 

 lucerne, velvet beans, cowpeas or soybeans. The amount of 

 wilting required for immature maize depends on the degree of 

 succulence, and must be learned by experience ; the younger 

 the plants, the more they must be wilted. 



425. Frosted Maize. — The value of maize for silage is re- 

 duced by freezing; but if the crop is cut and put into the silo 

 immediately after being frosted, the value of the silage made 

 from it, though reduced, is not seriously impaired ; if, on the 

 other hand, the maize is allowed to stand uncut for any length 

 of time after being frost-nipped, it is greatly injured for feeding. 



426. Composition of the Maize Plant at Different Stages 

 of Maturity. — The following analyses made at the Maine 

 Station (Rep. 1893, Ft. 2, p. 25) show the variation in com- 

 position of the maize plant at various stages of growth and 

 have been generally verified at other stations (Jordan, 3, p. 211 ). 

 The percentages (Table LIX) are those of water-free matter. 



Table LIX. 

 INFLUENCE OF MATURITY ON COMPOSITION. 



Though there is nearly 6 per cent less protein at the glazed 

 stage, there is an increase of nearly 17 per cent of nitrogen- 

 free extract, and a decrease of nearly 8 per cent of crude fibre. 



