47o 



THE CULTIVATION OF MAIZE FOR FODDER. 



This crop has been grown on a small scale in certain parts- 

 of England for many years, but the dry summers of the past 

 decade and the reports of the success of the crop in Canada 

 and the United States, have been the means of securing for it 

 from British farmers a largely increased amount of attention. 



Maize, when grown for fodder, does not demand a better 

 climate than many districts of England are able to offer, 

 while as regards soil-requirements and expenses of cultiva- 

 tion it compares favourably with most of our common fodder 

 crops. 



Taking an average of seasons, it is doubtful if the cultiva- 

 tion of maize is likely to prove of advantage north of the- 

 English Midlands. In the Southern and South-Eastern 

 Counties, however, where a low rainfall and frequently 

 recurring periods of drought make the growth of roots rather 

 uncertain, maize offers the opportunity of securing a large- 

 bulk of succulent material that may to a considerable extent 

 replace the common fodder crops. 



While this crop may be grown on a variety of soils 'sand, 

 clay, and fenland), it is found to give its best return on a. 

 mild, deep loam. The land should be ploughed early, so as 

 to secure a good tilth, and in spring the ground should be 

 cleaned and generally prepared as for roots. Ten or twelve 

 tons of farmyard manure per acre, supplemented, when 

 the crop is above ground, by 1-2 cwt. of nitrate of soda, 

 would be sufficient manuring. Where the natural fertiliser 

 is not available, artificials may be resorted to, a suitable- 

 mixture consisting of 1 cwt. sulphate of ammonia, 2-3 cwt. 

 superphosphate, and a similar amount of kainit on light 

 land. The seed may be sown from the middle of May 

 till the middle of June, though the young plants run 



