Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-09-23
Dailp kfnnftrl JournaI.
A Report on Silos and Ensilage.

- ASSFOAN VIA SAAOS xIuSAldkC,
The Department of Agriculture has Just
issued special report which comprises $
record of practical tests in several States
and Canada, on silos and ensilage. State
ments made by some 80 different farmers,
in answer to list of questions sent out by
the Department, are given in the report
All agreed. without dissenting opinion,
that ensilage was profitable. There
seemed to be no doubt expressed
on this point. The following are few
extracts from a summary showing the
general DRIFT Of practice and opinion, on
the several points enumerated in the
schedule of questions, of those who have
responded to the enquiries of the depart
ment: Silos are generally located with
reference to convenience in feeding, in,
under, or adjacent to the feeding rooms
Local considerations will determine
whether the silos should be below the sur.
face, or above, or partly below and partly
above. For walls of the silo
under ground, stone, brick, and
concrete arc used. In firm soils that do
not become saturated with water, walls
are not essential to the preservation of the
ensilage. Above ground. two thicknesses
of inch boards seem to be sufficient. if
supported against lateral pressure from
the ensilage. With rare exceptions the
silos described show rectangular form.
For reasons that given weight of ensilace
in deep silo requires less extraneous
pressure, and exposes less surface to the
air, than it would in shallow one, depth
is important If too deep there is danger
of expressing juice from the ensilage at
the bottom. Any heavy meterial may be
used for weight.
Corn takes the lead of ensilass crops.
Rye is grown by many in connection with
corn-the same ground producing a crop
OF each in season. Oats. Sorghum,
Hungarian grass. field peas, clover-in
fact, almost every crop used for soiling
has been stored in silos and taken out in
good condition.
The common practice is to put crops
into the silo when their full growth has
been reached, and before ripening begins
Corn produces more fodder per acre than
any other crop mentioned. The average
for corn is not far from 90 tons. The
lare est kind ofeorn is generally preferred,
hence seed grown in warmer climate is
in demand. In preparing fodder for the silo
fine cutting. half inch or less, is in favor.
1t packs closer and for this reason is like
ly to keep better than coarse ensilage
During the process of filling, the ensilage
should be kept level and well trodden
The cost, from field to silo, is various
ly reported, from 35 cents-and in sim
gle instance 10 or II cents-for labor
alone, to 81 and upwards per ton; though
the higher amounts include the entire cost
of the crop, not the harvesting alone
The ensilage should remain under pressure
at least until cool, and be uncovered after
that when wanted. In nearly all cases
the loss by decay was very slight. Gen
orally the ensilage has kept perfectly for
several months, showing 10 deterioration
when any remained in the silo
Ensilage has been fed to milch cows
more generally than to any other class of
stock, and no unfavorable results are re-
ported There can be little doubt that its
greatest value will always be found in this
connection. Several feeders consider il
equal in value to one-third of its weight
of the best hay, and some rate it higher.
There is marked increase in quantity
and improvement in quality of milk and
butter after changing from dry feed to en-
silage, corresponding with the effects of
similar change to fresh pasture. Cows
giving milk are commonly fed so to 60
pounds, with some dry fodder and grain.
Ensilage has been fed to all classes OF
farm stock, including swine and poultry,
with results almost uniformly favorable.
Ensilage. as it is commonly understood. is
substitute for hay and coarse fodder
generally, and does not take the place OF
grain. The condition of stock fed on en-
silage. both as to health and gain in
weight, has been uniformly favorable.
The Maine Bee Keepers Association
will hold their quarterly meeting at the
Common Council room in Bangor on