DRIED 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- 
