15 



the ordinary scheme of farming, experiments were begun in 190 1 

 by Mr. F. B. Smith at the South Eastern Agricultural College, 

 and are still in progress. Several acres of maize are grown each 

 year ; part is fed green to stock, and the rest is put into a silo ; 

 analyses of the maize and silage are also made in the chemical 

 laboratory. 



The method of cultivation has been fully described by Mr. 

 Smith in the Journal of the South Eastern Agricultural College 

 for 1902, and by Mr. Young in the same Journal for 1903 ; it is 

 also dealt with in Leaflet No. 73 of the Board of Agriculture. 

 Light soils and loams seem well suited to the crop, and the 

 preparation is much the same as for roots ; dung is ploughed in 

 in autumn or winter and the land worked in spring to produce 

 the necessary good tilth. As the seed requires a high tempera- 

 ture for germination it is useless to sow too early ; the beginning 

 of June is usually soon enough, and it is thus sometimes possible 

 to put in maize after another crop has failed. The seeding 

 need not be too heavy, and the rows should not be too close, 

 or the plants do not have an opportunity for full development ; 

 from 18 in. to 2 ft. seems to be a suitable distance between the 

 rows. Two or three bushels of seed are generally used ; it is 

 buried about three inches, a harrow and heavy roller are sent 

 over at once, and then, without delay, the ground is strung to 

 keep off rooks. 



When the plant is up, it is usually necessaiy to side hoe and 

 horse hoe. A light dressing of nitrate of soda is beneficial at 

 this stage, and it may be repeated should a spell of cold weather 

 set in to keep the crop back. A fairly high temperature is 

 wanted for growth, but, when once established, the crop obtains 

 the necessary water without difficulty, and can readily withstand 

 drought. In very dry seasons, e.g., in 1901, it has proved 

 extremely valuable in supplying excellent green meat at a time 

 \\ lien oilier keep had run out. In cold wet seasons, however, it 

 Is not so useful ; the crop is small and of inferior quality. 



There seems to be no doubt that the cost of production is less 

 than that of roots, and sometimes considerably less. At Wye 

 the eost is about t\\ per acre exclusive of rent and rates, and iS 

 tons would be considered a good average crop. On better soils 

 jo to 30 tons would be more common. The crop is remarkablv 

 free from disease. 



