370 



CORN 



mature, well-eared corn plant possesses a higher nutritive value than 

 at any earlier stage of growth." 



From the above scientific findings as a basis, it is advisable not to 

 cut fodder until well eared and in the glazing stage. 



♦CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GRAINS OP CORN AT DIFFERENT STAGES 



OF MATURITY. 



Analysis ot One Complete Row of Kernels from Ears Harvested on Different 



Dates. 



*CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COB AT DIFFERENT STAGES OP 



MATURITY. 



METHOD OF HARVESTING. For many years corn fodder 

 was cut by hand. A man with long arms, a steady stroke, and air 

 intelligent understanding of shocking, could thus cut and shock daily 

 from 50 to 75 shocks each ten hills square. Some men have cut as 

 high as 100 such shocks. The rate paid was usually five cents per 

 shock ten hills square. Larger shocks cost correspondingly more. 



Later, a number of patent devices appeared for cutting corn. Sleds 

 or low platforms on wheels with blades on the sides were "used. One 

 horse drew this down between two rows and two men sat on the 

 machine to catch the stalks as they were cut. When an armful was 

 gathered the horse was stopped and the men then carried the cut corn 

 to shocks arranged at convenient intervals through the field. An- 

 other machine cut the corn and shocked it over a form on a platform to 

 the rear. When a shock was completed a crane lifted it and swung it 

 off to the ground. 



Corn fodder harvested in Iowa and the corn states today is cared 

 for by means of improved machinery — the corn binder and the corn 



*Taken from the thesis of D. Bustemante. 



