Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-09-23

above, which remained sealed. Any other
form on construction of pits which answers
me conditions NAV he used; such as pits
or wells open only a, the top. the food being
put in and taken out through the top only.
Such pits would have one advantage; that
successive groupings might he put in the
same pit, one above the other, each being
sealed with a LAYER of earth when put in.
Where sufficient depth cannot be got above
water, pits may be made partly above and
partly below the surface. the earth exea,at-
ed being used to make broad and firm
embankment around them to their tops.
FILLING THE PITS.
The green fodder is drawn from the field
as fast as cut, and may be cut in any wealth
er except during rain. After running
through the cutting -machine. it is deposited
and trodden into the pit firmly, until the
pit is full. The doorway at the end of this
pit, having already been closed, by placing
boards across it upon the inside, as the FILL
ing progressed, is now sealed tightly by
placing other boards. property fastened,
across it. upon the outside of the jams. and
filling the space between the jams with well
compaeted earth. 30 that no air can pass in
to the pit through this doorway. The outer
covers are then placed temporarily upon the
necks Of this pit above. and covered over
with earth To the level of the ground above.
4 second and. If the cutting force be large
enough, third pit may then be filled. seal
ed, and covered like the first. After the
pit has been closed about thirty-six hours,
the necks must be uncovered and opened.
The contents will he found very warm and
thoroughly wilted, and, upon being now
trodden down. will occupy less than one
half. and, If clover. not more than one
fourth of the pit The pit should then be
filed again. trodden firmly. and covered
again temporarily as before.
Each pit should now be opened and refill
ed as before a, intervals of from twenty -four
10 thirty hours. the contents at each time
being trodden down as firmly and evenly as
possible and this should be continued I'M
till settling nearly or quite ceases and the
pits are full. Salt should be sprinkled &C
casionally over the fodder while the pits are
being filed. The pits. being now full and
settling having nearly or quite ceased. must
be Immediately and thoroughly sealed over
the whole top surface Of the fodder. BY q
well-compacted layer of clean earth. no, less
than 81, inches thick.
This covering Of earth should he after
ward examined at least twice. at intervals Of
a week or ten DAYS, and any cracks that ap-
pear be closed with fresh earth.
4 covering Of straw or hay. not more than
two inches thick. may be laid over the fod-
der before the earth covering j. applied
but this j. immaterial. other than a. mat
ter of neainess In feeding. the fodder
should be cut down. and fed from one end
OF the pit in sections Of convenient width
the earth being first removed from each
section.
II open pits are used. LAYER oil hay or
straw may be put over the pits when filled
and sealed, TO protect the contents from
the frost in winter, If necessary. ! have no,
found any pressure or weight upon the fod-
der. other than the earth covering, required.
II additional weight is desired. heavy GOV
ering Of earth will accomplish this. and
make the sealing At the same time more
perfect.
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