The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-05-05
" EnSilage."

serving green fodder crops in silos.
During the past year silos have been
built in various parts of the State, and
have been filled with green crops of
different kinds. AS these crops are now
being fed out to farm stock, there is an
earnest desire manifested among farm
ers to learn the exact results. Already
enough is known to warrant the con-
clusion that the subject is one of great
Importance and bids fair to change, to
a considerable extent, the old methods
of curing fodder and feeding farm stock.
AS the whole subject is but passing the
first stages of its infancy, in this coun-
try, some degree of caution is yet nee
essary. AS a rule the value of every
new project is oyer-estimated by its first
advocates, and under estimated by its
first opponents. To careful observer
the subject of ensilage does not appear
to be an exception to this rule If all
that is claimed by its most enthusiastic
advocates we shall soon be able to not
onl Y produce all of the butter, cheese,
| beef and mutton that is consumed in
the State, but export large quantities to
Europe and other portions of the world
Ii we are to believe the opponents, en-
silage can never be made to produce
good milk or butter, and the fermenta-
ton which takes place in the silos de-
stroys what little nutritive qualities the
fodder has when put in. With this wide
difference of opinion it seems necessary
that careful investig ations should be
made by those whose conclusions are
swayed by neither enthusiasm or preju-
dice.
That we may keep the numerous
readers Of the PEoughnaan informed of
the progress and the success or failure
OF this new method of keeping green
crops, we have carefully gathered up,
by personal observation and through re-
liable channels. every important fact,
as fast as good evidence proves it to be
such. The short time which has ELAPSED
since the first silo was built in this
State, renders it very difficult to gather
up many well established facts; but
there are some which we think of suffi-
cIent Importance to place before our
readers, and also some points worthy of
attention.
First-lt is a well demonstrated fact
that the walls of a slo should not be
built of brick, unless faced with cement.
The brick absorbs the moisture from
the ensllage, which leaves it in state
to rapidly decay. For the same reason
wood is an unfit material And above
all things the farmer should avoid build
ing with wood and covering it with zinc
or lead to keep the moisture in, as the
acid OF the ensilage coming in contact
with these metals will form a deadly
poison. Brick may be faced with &C.
ment, but where the rocks are plenty
they are the cheapest and make the
best wall. The walls should be per-
pendicular and straight and made
| smooth with cement.
Second--lt is well demonstrated that
the more compact the ensilage is, if the
water is not pressed out, the better il
VIII keep. For this reason it should be
cut fine, not less than one-half inch in
| length; it should also be we'll tramped
down as fast as put into the silo. This
Is important. The whole mass should
be made compact, and kept so with
heavy weights, or other means of press
ure.
Ihird-There is no longer any doubt
but cattle, horses, sheep and swine will
readily eat ensilage made of corn, rye
and other green crops
Fourth-There is but little doubt that
ensilage kept as well as that of Mr..
Francis E. LIQUIDS of Weymouth. will
produce good sweet milk.
Fifth-lt is we'll settled fact that
twenty-five tons of green corn fodder
can be grown on an acre of land.
Slxth-It is the testimony OF several
that have tried it, that daily ration of
from fifty to seventy pounds of ensil-
age, and one or two quarts of grain,
Will keep good sized mich cow in a
thriving condition. On this point our
observation teaches us that we need
more time, more exact measurements,
and more care to keep the cows from
the haymow, before we settle down to
just how much each COW needs, for
every twenty-four hours to keep her in
good condition.
But making the most liberal allowances
Tor enthusiasm, careless weights and
measurements, there is every reason to
belleve that we are entering into a
period when great improvements are to
be made In our methods of preserving
green fodder crops, as we'll as the feed
ing OF cattle; and while we are con-
WINGED that with no better than the best
sllos we now have, there are MANY
farms where their introduction would
greatly add to the profits of the farm.
There IS every reason to believe that a
model Yankee silo is not yet built. I'M
provements in the direction of tighten
ing the labors of the farm are the order
OF the day, and while the laborers of
Europe may be willing to bend their
backs, to remove twenty five tons of
rocks several times each year, the Yam
kee will rebel and scratch his head nm
til he invents some less Iaborious way.
The experience of the past year demon
strates the Importance of careful inyes-
legations before attempts to build silo.
Many mistakes have been made that a
little knowledge would have enabled
one to avoid. Any one who thinks to
make a saving by building silo In the |
ground with boards, will make mis-
take. Anyone who thinks it is no con- |
sequence if the fodder is not cut makes
mistake; and finally he who thinks he |
has not much to learn about BUILDING |
sllos, keeping green crops and feeding
enSllapp- makes p,ictoIo nf 40 II |