DBIMD CORN FODDER 147 



the advantage of earing is not so important. In 

 fact, a better quality of fodder will be secured 

 when a minimum number of matured ears are 

 formed. 



The time of cutting will depend somewhat on 

 the character of growth, but the largest amount of 

 dry matter wilL be obtained when the maize plant 

 is practically mature, and if the seeding has been 

 thick enough the curing at this stage can be 

 accomplished readily. When there is danger of 

 shortage of other winter roughage, corn is often 

 planted late to supplement the regular supplies, in 

 which case the crop is not always sufficiently 

 mature before it is time to harvest. This will 

 result in giving a crop that is very rich in diges- 

 tible dry matter, but that is difficult to cure. 

 However, if it is placed in small shocks, it will 

 soon dry out; it should be removed from small 

 shocks to large stacks or to the barn before the 

 heavy storms of winter begin. 



Composition and value of dry corn fodder 



The composition of well -cured corn fodder is 

 such as to make it a most excellent and nutritious 

 food, and it is readily eaten by all farm stock, 

 especially if cut fine. The amount of dry matter in 

 field- cured fodder is about 75 per cent, and it 

 is nearly as rich in protein as timothy hay, and con- 



