The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-08
- he Ensilage Of Maize."

exciting a good deal of attention. owing
to the importance of the s ib,ect. The
author of the work is VI. Auguste
Gifert. am extensive and distinguished
agriculturist of France. In speaking of
his early attempts TO improve his con-
dition, he says. Il rave my attention to
the culture of maize, and | began TO
seek for it a system of preservation by
ensilage. [ have therein entirely sue
ceeded, but only after thousands Of ex-
periments. which have continued not
less than a quarter Of a century.
That he has ''entirely succeeded :
would seem to be assured, judging from
the action and experiments of many of
the learned Agricultural Societies Of
France. as we'll "a experiments tried in
our own country. The Minister Of
Agriculture of France conferred the
decoration of the Legion Of Honor upon
VI. Gltfert as a recognition Of the i'm
mense benefit which has accrued TO
France. by his discovery. Judging by
present appearances, this new method
OF preserving fodder is n of the most
important discoveries of the present age,
and will revolutionize our whole system
in producing our cheese, butter and
beef.
The object which seems to have been
accomplished, is the preservation Of
forage plants through all seasons Of the
year, So as to retain all their nutritive
value when green. but which Is. in a
great measure. lost by our present syS-
tenn of curing. This idea was suggested
BY a fact familiar to US all. The author
says:
IF there is one fact recognized by all
agriculturists. it IS that a certain guam
THY Of grass which. consumed in a green
state. represents an a~scertained nutri-
tive value. loses a considerable portion
of that value in passing into Il state of
hay intended for the Winter s~ustenance
OF animals. The cow which gives us in
Summer, while feeding on green grass.
such excellent milk and butter Of such
agreeable color and favor. furnishes us
in Winter, when she eats the same grass
converted into hay, an inferior quality
of milk and pale, insipid butter. What
notifications has this grass undergone
in changing to hay? These notifications
are numerous. 1t is sufficient to cross
a meadow at the time when the new
mown grass is undergoing deseccation
IN order to recognize that it is losing an
enormou quantity of its substance that
eXhales IN the air in agreeable odorS.
but which, ii they remained in the
plant. would serve as a condimcnt, ia
cllItating digestion and ass initiation"
This simple observation furnished the
initial idea which has developed in a
great discovery, and, like most of the
great discoveries made, it proceeds
from, /, to.f thot tho ~b,l, ,r,,ll =. !
familiar with.
milton of the terms he employs neces-
sary to understand his method: "Ens:-
toGe-the act OF COMPRISING into pits.
trenches or compartments, called silos:
also the green crops SO preserved"
"Sit0-eXcavatiOn, pit or trench hollow
ed IN the ground, or any compartment
used for storing green fodder in an air
tight manner.
Any green crop may be preserved in
this method, but cOrn seems to be pre-
ferred by the author, for the reason
that so large a yield can be obtained per
acre.
His mode of procedure is this: With
the AID OF some power, (either horse or
steam he cuts his green corn-stalks.
whenever they have tasseled, in ha f.
inch lengths, and Immediately packs
them in a silo or trench prepared for
the purpose as quickly and compactly as
possible. The whole mass is then o Y
cred with closely fitting boards. weighed
down with stones or logs SO that the
covering can descend with the settling
mass. Continuous pressure IS the secret
OF success. This expels from the ensi-
lage enough OF the air contained In it to
prevent fermentation and consequent
decay.
When the e%nsilage is taken from the
silo to be fed, exposure to the air, in a
short time, induces alcoholic felmenta-
ton to set in, and then it is in its best
state for cattle, and they eat it with
great relish. 1t is then in a pulpv
mass, and the whole OF it is consumed
Its nutritive qualities appear to be in
creased by this process.
This matter has been the subject of
investigation and experiment BY
many OF the learned societies Of France
devoted to agriculture, and is. by them
universally commended.
But we are not entirely dependent
upon the French people for information
IN regard TO this matter. Mr.. Francis
Morris Of Maryland, for more than two
past, has experimental with this
process, and adds his testimony to its
great value. His Experience in Grow
ING Corn-foddcr, preserving it in Silos
,r trenches and feeding it to Stock is
obtained in this same Volume. {
IN It he >ays, In a very long expcli-
nnce IN raising stock. | have found corn !
preserved as above stated. the f;
)e9t too for milking COWS that have |
uSeI. II Il canal Ii not S11nnrnn [