Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-10
Boston, april %, 1882.

Other experiments of the New Jersey
station prove that folders. such as clover
hay and wheat straw, and foods such as
brewers grains or roots made into rations
containing the same amount Of digestible
material az rations Of enslage, are com
paratively Of the same value, both to sus,
tain animals aud produce milk. Expert
ments in this direction leads the director
of the station to publish this result "EH-
sildge can pr0dHce no more milk MlH GAy
other fodder 2Chicb contains an equal
amount of Jood." Ifthis ensilage is mere.
ly substitute. its value to us is TO be
determined by its relative cost. Expert.
ment, and the practical judgment OF our
farmers, will determine tho question after
another season.
The discussion of these questions has
been Of incalculable value. Never before
has there been so thorough an apprecia.
ton of the maize plant as now. The value
of dried corn fodder. hitherto but ltle
understood by the large number Of farm
ers, has been made apparent by the easier
experiment of men on all side, and spread
far and wide by means Of tie institutes
and farmers clubs. Other folders, milet,
rye, oat straw, when fed With the same, or
a less amount Of nitrogenous food than is
usually fed with ensilage, have given very
valuable results. 1t is found that an acre
of good soil kept active, well worked and
fortified for each crop, instead of lying
idle for three-fourths Of the year, msy, by
close succession of crops. as winter rye
(cut for hay), millet, corn fodder OF barley
in summer and fall succession produce
enough to carry Il much greater number
Of cattle than we have done in the past.
Our experience in this important matter
should convince all OF the necessity Of a
thoroughly equipped experiment station.
1t is not to our credit that we are compel
led to look to the experiments Of distant
states.
We propose nj some future date to re-
view Secretary Eussell's opinions upon the
subject Of cnsilagc, but briefly in this con-
nection we must express our disapPoint-
ment at his weak, Illogical and unsatisfac-
tory arraignmcnt of the advocates of the
new system OF feeding. We regret that
our worthy secretary should pass BY un-
noticed the scores Of successful slos in his
own state, should discredit the published
VI NtDlSS Hl tul ulOrl
and trustworthy farmers, and should feel
himself forced TO seek in the state of New
Jersey that qNaSi support to his assertions
which could not be found within tho limits
Of our own commonwealth. If, then, the
above extracts from the socretary's report
embody the sum and substance of all that
can bo said in disparagement of the sys-
tenn of ensilage. those of our enterprising
farmers who have already constructed silos
will not accuse themselves of stupidity,
credulity or wasteful extravaganza, while
those who are hesitating whether or not to
embark upon this unknown sea ofadvanc-
ed and progressive agriculture will be
encouraged to experiment in a modest and
inexpensive manner, after the methods OF
their brother farmers who have been sue
cessful pioneers in the same direction. TIC
Secretary Russell, after his twelve menths
additional criticism and investigation OF
the subject, is due the thanks of the
many hundreds of advocates of silos and
ensilage that the chances of loss and dis
appointment are no greater, and that ever
his scientific coadjulor from New Jersey
does not condemn the system, but find
much to commend in It's following
American Cu!tirator,