The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-08

oPoiSe htoy W SPoNieiiy meulloueu,
because the fodder was preserved in large
wooden boxes, where there was no oppor-
tunity for teaching. Lack of space for
bids quoting the results here, but it is
sufficient to say that they resembled
Moser S in all essential particulars. The
detailed results can be found in the
writer's Manual of Cattle Feeding, page
31S. o
Mr.. Bailey, however, appeals from the
evidence of chemistry to that of "prac-
teal experience" This appeal has a
very plausible sound, and is, to certain
extent, justified. 1t is doubtless true
that chemical analysis alone is not suf-
flclent to determine the value of feed
ing stuff, although it is equally true that
1T is impossible accurately to fix its value
without the aid of chemical analysis.
AS regards ensilage, there are certain
things which such trials as Mr.. Bailey is
making can determine. They, and they
alone, can show the value of the method
as a means OF storing and preserving corn
fodder; it's cost as compared with other
methods, and the palatability Of the re-
su.ting fodder. On the other hand,
there are certain things which such trials
cannot determine. They cannot deter
mine the digestibility of the ensilage. or
It's nutrltive value, or the amount Of i'm
provement, if any, effected in its quality,
or the loss of material involved. On all
these points it is necessary to have the
evidence of chemical and physiological
experiments, conducted. by trained observ-
ers, before a definite conclusion can be
reached. They cannot be settled by a
few off hand trials conducted in the in
tervals of the active business of a farm,
though it is favorite delusion of the
practical man that they can be.
Some years ago, cooking and steaming
fodder was extolled much as ensilage is
now, and numbers of so-called practical
trials showed, it was claimed, an increase
of from 20 to 80 per- cent in the value of
the steamed fodder. 1 am personally
acquainted with one of the leading farm
ers OF this State, who also made practi-
cal trial of it; and although he has to-
day all the necessary apparatus, he pre-
fers to feed his stock with uncooked food
rather than be at the expense of the fuel
necessary to steam it. This is but one
illustration out of many of the uncer-
taintles and contradictions of practical
feeding trials, and of the necessity for
more reliable means of determining the
value Of feeding-stuffs or methods of pre-
paration. Such means have been worked
out by the combined labors of many
European (and especially Germany in
vestigators, and by their aid we can ar
rive at a tolerably accurate opinion of
the nutritive value of different folders.
Only part Of the work necessary to
settle this aspect of the ensilage question
has as yet been done, and no final decis
ion can yet be reached At the same
time there are many facts which indicate.
with high degree of probability, what
that decision will be- Some of these
facts I presented in my former article.
That ensilage- is a good and palatable
fodder, do not doubt; that, in combina
ton with concentrated folders, it forms
sufficient ration, there is also no doubt
that the nutritive value of corn fodder is
somewhat increased by ensilage, likewise
appears to be pretty we'll settled; but it
is equally well settled that no very great
Improvement is effected in this way
while the absurdity of the claim that it's
value is doubled, appears from the fact
that, according to an earlier experiment
by Moser, nearly 70 per cent of the dry
matter of young maize is digestible, com.
bined with the fact that animals fed on
ensilage continue to yield manure.
l would not be understood as decry-
ing ensilage. Practical trial must settle
whether, under our conditions, it is to be
preferred to desiccation, but the adoption
OF the process cannot be permanently
furthered by extravagant claims, which
can only result in disappointment.
III. P. ARMsBY.
C0onect'c"t Agricultural Experiment