222 THE BOOK OF CORN 



In view of the fact, therefore, that beets are fully 

 threefold more expensive to grow and yield only about 

 half as much digestible matter, it would be necessary 

 for them to possess approximately six times the feed- 

 ing value of corn silage in order to establish even a 

 parity between the two classes of foods. 



Careful experiments, however, in Pennsylvania, 

 Ohio and Vermont show beyond question that there is 

 little or no difference between the feeding value of the 

 dry matter of the two feeds, and the small difference 

 was found to be uniformly in favor of the silage. From 

 every point of view, therefore, the great disadvantage 

 of root crops in competition with corn is perfectly 

 apparent. 



Soiling — No plant now known to us equals corn in 

 its adaptability to the soiling system. Varieties may be 

 selected which will yield a continuous crop of succu- 

 lent food, mature enough to have a high feeding value, 

 from the middle of June until the severe frosts of 

 autumn. The practice of relying upon corn almost 

 exclusively from the time the earliest variety can be 

 brought to a reasonable state of maturity until the 

 close of the season, is well founded and fully justified 

 by the results of scientific research. Corn has the ad- 

 vantage of yielding a larger quantity of digestible mat- 

 ter per acre at less cost than any other crop suited to 

 soiling, and furthermore it may be harvested, handled 

 and fed more conveniently than any of the other crops 

 used, and has a higher feeding value. 



The problem with those who follow this system is 

 to find some plant to cover the period of early spring 

 before corn can be brought to maturity. In the solu- 

 tion of this problem it has been found that corn silage 

 kept over from the preceding season will answer this 

 purpose more fully and more satisfactorily than any 

 crop that can be grown at that season of the year. 



