Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-09-10
PRESERVING FOOD FOB CATTLE.

hESE ESSO
In many localities in this and other
the dry season will put farmers
to their wits ends to economic their
winters feed sufficiently 10 tide them
over to the next Summers crop.
1t is not only this season but every
season, that a necessity is felt among
dairymen and cattle rsisers for a more
s~ucculent character OF food during the
Winter than the ordinary crops OF hay
and fodder upon which they are accus-
toned TO rely, for their stock.
Roots OF various kinds have become
a common article Of Winter feed in
some sections, showing good results, but
not altogether satisfactory. We find it
stated by an exchange, the Baltimore
Sun, that q distinguished Frenchmsn,
n. GoFFARr, has, after twenty years ex-
~perimenting, published the results OF
putting down for winter feed, green corn
fodder in air tight pits, or sisOs, as ex'
pressed in French, and the results are
given in a volume by the author from
which some interesting facts are gath
cred.
This corn-fodder, cut into inch lengths
by a fodder cutter. worked by hand or
horse " was emptied into the pit
as it came green from the field, and
trsmped down by the feet OF men when
the pit was small, and by horse power
when it was large. Heavy pressure was
used when the pit was full, aud 1t was
then closed tightly until winter set in.
n. Gnffart's book attracts a good deal oil
attention, and the process OF preserving
green fodder, which took the name OF
"ensilage." gradually extended over
France and Belgium. 1t is now extern
sively used in both those countries by
the most advanced and practical farm
ers, who claim that it saves per head OF
stock more than one-hali the former
cost OF keeping.
More recently the process has been
| tried in some Of the Eastern and West
ern States, in New Jersey, Maryland,
Virginia and Tennessee, with equally
good results. 1t is nov reported that the
great Atlantic Fair will introduce the
subject to Southern visitors in a practi-
cal manner by exhibiting what Is
thought to be the best silos, or pits, and
the process by which the cut green fod'
der is preserved. The width and depth
OF these silos vary according 10 circum-
stances. A pit Of twenty feet square
is preferred by some, others favor a
shallower pit OF greater length. A pit
twenty feet long, eight or ten feet wide,
and OF similar depth, will answer
the purposes Of many farm
ers. The walls must be 80 con-
structed as to sustain great pressure,
and, in the West, some Of these pits are
of stone, or brick, or concrete: but such
expensive pits are not at al necessary.
The two things primarily important in
preserving fodder in a green state for
winter use are that rain and air shall be
excluded after the pits are full. After
it is in place a covering Of boards is put
on OF the size of the interior OF the pit,
and is weighted heavily-how heavily
has not vet been determined, but some
put on a thousand pounds OF stone or
Of sand in bags TO the square yard.
Once filled the silo is left alone IN
Ill cold weather-January or February.
By that time the ensilage is found to
have undergone a partial process OF fer
| mentation and to have become compact
ed into a s~ucculent Sc mi acid mass, with
a slightly alcoholic flavor. When the
silos are opened for use a few OF the
boards are removed, a quantity OF ensi-
lage sufficient for several days supply is
cut with an axe or a hay-knife. and
when 1t is taken out the pit is covered
closely as before. 1t often happens,
even with the best silos. some three TO
FIVE inches OF the e~nsilage on top is
found to be spoiled. Below that it is
perfect.
When ensilage is fed to cattle they
eat it sparingly at first, but busted with
a sprinkling Of cornmeal they soon get
to like it and to prefer it to all other
kinds OF iood. 1t increases the flow Of
milk, and the quantity, quality and
color OF butter, neither OF which, so far
az is known, does it effect in any way
iujuriously. The cost of constructing
pits need not be heavy. In some places
pits have been dug, boarded at the sides
with one and a half inch plank and at
bottom with slabs. the whole cost being
but from sixteen to twenty dollars, and
they have done well.
Every farmer can put in a few acres
Of corn, either drilled or broadcast, and
it is claimed by those who have tried
ensilase and advocate its extended use,
that when the corn is cut at the time it
1sfairly in tassel one acre OF it will sup
port more cattle that three acres Of
mown and cured hay.