ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 161 



Horses will winter on good shredded corn stalks in better 

 condition than they will on grain and inferior hay, and they will 

 do more work than if fed on timothy hay alone. 



Shredded cornstalk is a great absorbent, much superior to 

 any kind of straw and consequently more desirable for bedding. 

 Its effect on land when plowed under is excellent, rendering the 

 soil light and pliable. 



An acre of corn that will produce from 50 to 75 bushels will 

 also yield from two to three tons of fodder, according to the kind 

 of corn planted, which, if properly handled and shredded, is equal 

 in feeding value to the same weight of timothy hay, in fact it is 

 to be preferred either for horses, milch cows or young stock; not 

 only will they thrive on it but prove more vigorous and healthy. 



For several years I put my corn into a silo, but for some 

 years back have preferred to mature the corn in the field, husk 

 and shred the stalks, using the shredded corn stalks as hay, and 

 grinding the corn and cobb together. I believe it to be the best 

 enconmy and to me very much more satisfactory than ensilage. 

 I prefer shredded corn for milch cows to any kind of hay, except 

 perhaps clover hay. It is vastly superior to most other kinds of 

 roughage because it conveys no taint to the milk, cream or but- 

 ter no matter how much the cows may consume. The keeping 

 quality of the milk and butter from cows fed shredded corn is 

 excellent. 



I don't want to be understood, however, as claiming for 

 shredded corn that it is a perfect food, very far from it; notwith- 

 standing that it is nutritious and digestible, it requires to be sup- 

 plemented with wheat bran, and if obtainable, oil meal and cot- 

 ton seed meal. 



Perhaps it may not seem possible to you that there is such a 

 wastage of valuable feeding material in the present methods, but, 

 as a farmer talking to farmers, I assure you I know by practical 

 experience. I suppose that in time machines will be made to 

 render the process mere play to you, but don't wait for that, 

 shred your corn stalks next year with the best appliances at your 

 command. Follow my advice, my friends, and you may one and 



