The True Northerner

Cutting Corn.

When the fodder is an object, corn should be cut when the grain is sufficiently hard, so that the kernels cannot be broken by strong pressure between the fingers, irrespective of frost, or the earliness or lateness of the season; but if frost intervenes before the crop is ripe, it should be cut immediately, since the fodder is not only injured or rendered worthless soon after being killed by frost, but the corn is also seriously injured, if not ruined altogether; but if cut and shocked immediately, it still makes good feed, since the sap continues to ascend and partially matures the grain.

To cut and shock corn properly, let a hand go through the field making tables regularly, and at proper distances, by bending over and interlocking four hills so they may form a figure X. Around these set the corn firmly and carefully, pressing the butts to the ground and the tops together, until sufficient is placed for tying. This may be done with a cornstalk partially wilted, or with bands of hay or straw. Much time is lost and unnecessary exertion expended by not attending to the most economical performance of the work of cutting and shocking corn. Many persons cut and lay down the corn, to be picked up again and placed in the shock. Corn, once in the arms, should always be carried directly to the shock by the person who cuts it. The tables being made, commence cutting so that when the armful is secured you will be near the place forming the shock, and continue to proceed thus until the shock is completed. A little practice will enable any of you to calculate with so much surety that but little time will be lost in carrying the corn.

Much corn is injured by loose tying and also by tying too low down upon the shock. The band should be placed as high as possible and have it catch all the stalks, and should be drawn as tight as may be without breaking the bands. If the whole work has been carefully performed, there is but little danger that the shocks will be blown over, however violent the wind.

Unless the corn is needed for fodder or caught by frost before ripe, we should never cut the crop, since it takes much longer to husk from the shock than from the hill; besides, it is much easier to take care of the stalks left on the hill than after it is shocked. We may add, however, there is nothing better for wintering cattle or young horses, and especially milch cows, than good bright corn fodder, and where forage is scarce, it is of great value to the farmer.