CORN Coru has been found to be suitable in the southern portion of the three Prairie Provinces. Where corn grows well, the Northwestern Dent has given good results for silage. In the more northern areas some of the flint varieties, such as Manitoba Flint, North Dakota White Flint, and Gehu have done well. As a rule, a larger crop of wheat or oats may be grown after corn than after sun- flowers, because the sunflowers use more moisture to make the additional tonnage. Corn may be seeded in rows 3 feet apart, but check rows 3 feet apart each way are preferred, as the crop may be kept cleaner. The row method may give the heavier yield, but the check row corn will likely have a higher feeding value. In rows use 25 to 30 pounds of seed per acre. In check rows use 12 to 15 pounds per acre, with 3 to 5 kernels per hill. In dry areas or in a dry season, 31% feet apart in the row may be preferable to 3 feet, as the roots will have a larger feeding ground. Plant from May 15th to June 10th. The earlier planting usually gives the best results. The yield may vary with the season, but probably 8 to 12 tons per acre is a safe estimate. In 1922, Manitoba Agricultural College gave.the cost of producing silage from corn, sunflowers and oats as follows: COPe FA ces bees di Siabevsv ee ceewest% $4.27 per ton Re is 0 sd as Bi i a hee B67 2c PURE OWOLS = 8.04 £65956 55 FAA eb Ree Mis HB It is well to note that. while in, this case corn cost more than sunflowers to ensile, yet the resultant corn silage will have a higher feeding value than that of sunflowers. Corn is harvested when the grain is glazing, and should be put in the silo the same day as cut. SUNFLOWERS Sunflowers are grown in Northern Manitoba, in Saskatchewan and in Central and Southern Alberta. The Mammoth Russian or Russian Giant variety is recommended. Seed from the Ist to the 20th of May, in rows 36 inches to 42 inches apart, using a corn planter or grain drill. Use about 10 to 12 pounds of seed per acre, or so that the plants are about 6 inches apart in the rows. Because of the heavy lower leaves, weeds are not difficult to keep down. A limited amount of cultivation, sufficient only to keep down weeds, is preferable to liberal cultivation. ‘The sunflower plant needs more moisture for growth than does corn. The yield may vary with the season, but 15 to 20 tons may be expected. As sunflowers are very juicy, some follow the practice of mixing in oats to prevent mildew, as the hollow stems help to soak up the juice. Some have even used cut straw for this purpose. In Southern Saskatchewan the sunflowers tonnage is usually greater than corn, but because of a higher percentage of dry matter in the corn, there may be a question of the advantage of one crop over the other. In Northern Saskatchewan corn and sun- flowers are regarded as about equal, pound for pound, in feeding value. On some of the irrigated areas, notably in Central or Southern Alberta, as high as 20 to 30 and more tons of sunflowers have been grown per acre. OATS In Central and Northern Alberta and in Northern Saskatchewan oats. may be used for silage. In northern areas, or higher altitudes, where oats are preferred to either corn or sunflowers, it is because the oats usually reach a stage of maturity where there is con- siderable grain, and hence pound for pound has a higher feeding value, though it is quite possible that sunflowers would produce a higher tonnage of juicy stalks. In putting oats in the silo they should be thoroughly tramped, on account of the hollow stems. Some run a small stream of water on to the rollers of the cutting box as the sheaves are being cut. Prepare the land as for an ordinary oat crop, and seed from April 25th to May 25th at the rate of two bushels per acre. This method is usually preferred. In dry areas some have seeded oats in two drill units 36 inches apart, so that it could be cultivated, using about a bushel of seed per acre. Victory or Banner oats are suitable. Cut when the lower oat begins to turn, and put in the silo the same day. A loose-leaf binder for holding these Farm News Sheets may be had at the small price of.50c, postage paid, with index and news sheets issued to date. This special offer is to encourage the keeping and filing of agricultural information for quick reference when wanted. See the Farm News Service page in our General Catalogue for further information. If you receive an extra copy of a bulletin, please pass it on to a friend or neighbor. The information contained in this bulletin is received from reliable sources, but the Company does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damage which any person may sustain in carrying out or in attempting to carry out the suggestions.