154 FORAGE CROPS 
Varieties of corn for silage 
For the eastern, central west and southern 
states, the larger-growing varieties, as the South- 
ern White, Horse Tooth, Mastodon, or those gen- 
erally recommended by seedsmen, are preferable, 
giving a larger yield of actual dry matter per acre 
than the smaller- growing varieties, if only they 
mature sufficiently in average seasons before frost. 
Farther north, the flints, as Thoroughbred White, 
or the ordinary yellow varieties, and a number of 
the quick-growing dent varieties, are recom- 
mended, because the crop can be more completely 
matured before danger of frost. 
Preparation of land, and seeding 
As in the case of other forage crops, the prepa- 
ration of soil is very important. Early plowing, 
and a deep and thorough preparation of land are 
important in securing a quick and complete germi- 
nation and rapid early growth. Manuring should 
be liberal and supplemented by fertilizers. While 
all this is expensive when large areas are grown, 
nevertheless it is a paying procedure because of 
the very much larger quantity of feed material 
that may be grown per acre. It costs no more, 
for example, to buy land, to furnish seed, to plow, 
and to make the ordinary cultivations for a crop 
