MAIZE-GROWING AROUND CHICAGO.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9640, 15 January 1903, Page 3

MAIZE-GROWING AROUND CHICAGO.

{To the Editor of the Herald.) ! ' Sir, — While m Chicago lately I inquired into and inspected closely the* maize and pig industry so extensively carried on m that neighborhood and liopu my experience gained there may be of use to the Gisborne settlers. For hundreds of miles along the railway line each side of Chicago, maize was standing m rows like tents m the field, a.s maize is all cut and stacked m bundlts of sheaves the same a.s wheat, so as to save the grain and stalks. The Chicago district is for behind m natural advantages for growing maize to those enjoyed ; around Gisbofiic. i The land is not as rich as the Gisborno flats and the heavy frosts to which the crop is subject adds a risk seldom experienced m Gisborne, and .the crop of stalk and grain is consequently less. The maize is planted by machine between the Ist and 20th of* May, and the crop is ready for cutting about 20th of August. Tiie corn harvester is rapidly taking the place of the corn knife which was universal a few years ago. The system of the knife was to cut each stalk separately about 4 inches from. the ground and stack the maize m sheaves to dry. The harvester now cuts and bimls the maize, the -same as -wheat or oats, the sheaves are then stacked upright m the fields to dry, string being tied around the tops of the shock (a quantity of sheaves . standing upright together) to keep them : f ram, being blown apart and to keep the wet from .entering. The shocks are left ; to dry m., the field until about the end of November, or as soon after as inconvenient for husking the cobs off and shredding the stalks which is done by machinery. The cobs are stacked m cribs and the shredded stalks m barns. The maize being cut before the stalks have dried to wood causes a slightly lower weight of grain, but this is fuliy 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 m 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 farmers feed the maize to their pigs by giving them the whole cobs, but it is generally admitted that if 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 not generally available. The pith of the cobs is of no value for food or any other purpose. The shredded leaves and stalks are admitted to be tip top feed for cattle. T. have sent a full supply of printed matter on maize and maize fodder to Messrs Common, She] ton and Co., who will give copies to any farmers wanting them, and for their information I may add that the statements made m the same can lie taken as correct. There are several varieties of pigs grown, but a cross by the Tamworth and Berkshire seems m favor. The other breeds are Poland, China, Chester whites, Yorkshires, and Duroc Jerseys. P. J. SHELTON.--Auckland, January 13, 1903.