IMPORTANT T0 FARMERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 801, 16 January 1903, Page 3

IMPORTANT T 0 FARMERS.

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Sir, —Whilo m Chicago lately I onquired into and inspected closely the maize and pig industry so extensively carried on in that neighborhood, and hope my experience gained there may bo of use to tho Gisborne settlers.

For hundreds of miles along the railway line each side of Chicago, maize was standing in rows like tents in the field, as maize is all cut and stacked in bundles of sheaves tho Bame as wheat, so as to save the grain and stalks. The Chicago district is far behind in natural advantages for growing those enjoyed around Gißborne

Tho land is not as rich as the Gisborne flats and the heavy frosts to which the crop is subject adds a risk soldorn experienced in Gisborne, and tho crop of Btalk and grain is consequently less. The maize is planted by machino between tho lßt and 20th May, and tho crop is ready for cutting about 20th of August. The corn harvester is rapidly taking the place of the corn knife whioh was usual a few years ago. The system of tho knife was- to cut each Btalk separately about 4in from the ground and stack the maize in sheaves to dry. The harvester now cuts and binds the maize, the Bame as wheat or oats, the sheaves are then stacked upright in tho fields to dry, string being tied around the tops of thestook(a quantity of sheaves standing upright together) to keep them from being blown apart and to keep the wet. from entering. The stooks are left to dry in the field until about the end of November, or as soon after as inconvenient for husking the cobs off and shredding tho stalks which is done by machinery. The cobs are staoked in cribs and the shedded stalks in barns. Tho maize being cut before tho stalks have dried to wood causes a slightly lower weight of grain, but this is fully made up for by the advantage derived from the use of the shredded stalks as fodder. The cutting of the maize is of course done in dry'weather, the same as any other crop would be harvested, and the shredding is attended to with the same care that chaff cutting would receive. Most farmors feed tho maize to their pigs by giving them the whole cobs, but it is generally admitted that it pays better to shell the maize and steep the

grain before giving to the pigs. Maize is the principal pig food, and this is added to by barley, pollard, bran, etc. Milk is preferred, but is uot generally available. The pith of the cobs is of no value for food or any other purpose. Tho shredded leaves and stalks are admitted to be tip-top feed for cattlo. I have sent a full supply of printed matter on inaizo and maize fodder to Mossrs Common, Shelton and Co., who will give copies to any farmers wanting them, and for their information I may add that tho statements made in the samo can bo taken as correct. There are several varieties of pigs grown, but a cross by tho Tamworth and Berkshire seems in favor. The other breeds aro Poland, China, Chester whites, Yorkshires, and Duroc Jerseys. F. J. SHELTON.