HARVESTING AND STORAGE 



459 



427. Composition of Maize Fodder at Different Stages of CHAP. 

 Growth. — Maize fodder varies in protein-content according 

 to the stage of growth at which it is cut, as is shown by the 

 following table (LX) extracted from Jenkins &"Winton's (1) 

 tables : — 



Table LX. 

 INFLUENCE OF MATURITY ON COMPOSITION OF FODDER. 



428. Comparative Digestibility of Maize Fodder and Silage 

 at Different Stages of Maturity. — There is also a variation in 

 the degree of digestibility, according to the stage of maturity 

 at which the maize has been cut. Both with silage and fodder 

 the digestibility is higher after the grain has glazed, or dented, 

 than before. It has been found that the total digestible food 

 value of the maize crop was 200 to 300 per cent greater in 

 the fully mature crop than at the silking stage, and 36 per 

 cent greater than at the time the ears were glazing (Armsby, 

 Pennsylvania Rep. 1892). 



