Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-12-27

The report Oh silos and cnsilage pub
liShcd 10y the department Of agricul.
ture gives returns from records OF prac-
teal tests made in various parts ofthe
United States and Canada, The sum-
mary says the silos are generally built
with reference TO convenience In feed
ing, In, under or near the feeling
rooms, and may be above, below or
partly below the surface. The form Of
the sio Is generally Il rectangular hori-
zontal section. The cylindrical form
Is recommended, Depth Is important,
because less surface IL exposed to the
air, but If too deep there Is danger. OF
expressing juice from the cnsilage at
the bottom. When the contents are
cut in u vertical section the narrow
silo has the advantage Of exposing lit
tie surface to the air. The capacity of
the silos varied from 36i to 1920
cubic feet. The largest would hold
about $50 tons. Practically the capacity
Is less to the extent that the ensilage
settles under pressure. This should
not exceed one-fourth. Stone, brick
and concrete are used for walls under
ground. In firm soils that do not be-
come saturated with water walls are
not essential to preservation Of ensi-
lagc. Above ground two thiclnesses of
inch boards, with sheathing paper be-
tween, if supported against side press
ure, will answer. Boards generally
cover the top, put on transvcrsely, so
that a part may beuncovered while the
weight remains on the rest Anything
heavy may do for the weight. The
cost of a silo runs from fifty cents to
S. ton.
OF the crops for ensilage, corn takes
the lead, but oats, sorghum, clover,
Hungarian grass-almost any crop,
can be used. Corn, sorghum and SIM
liar crops should be planted in rows,
the quantity of seed corn varying from
eight quarts to a bushel and half for
an acre. The common practice is to
put crops in the silo when they have
reached their full growth and before
ripening begins. Corn yields per acre
about twenty tons of fodder. The
largest variety of corn is preferred for
ensilage. Sweet corn by many is valued
the most. though it does not yield large
crops. Various cutters are employed,
fine cutting--a half inch or less--being
in favor because the ensilage packs
closer and is likely to keep better than
if coarse. While filling the silo the
ensilage should be kept level and well
trodden. Rapid filling is probably the
best. The cost of filling the silo is
from ten to thirty-ive cents for labor,
and So and over per ton includes the
entire cost of the crop. The ensilage
should remain under pressure till cool.
The loss by decay is nearly always
light. Generally the ensilage has kept
for months in the silo. 1t is better to
expose a new surface daily than to cut
down sections. Ensilage is fed to
mich cows with no unsatisfactory re-
suits. Several feeders consider it equal
in value to one-third of its weight of
the best hay. There is decided in
crease in the quantity and improve
ment in the quality of milk and butter
after changing from dry feed to ensi-
lage, which is like changing to fresh
pasture. Ensilage has been fed swine,
poultry and every kind of stock ex-
cepting horses with success. The daily
lations for mich cows are fifty to sixty
pounds. with some dry food. 1t is not
found best to feed cows on ensilage
alone. The stock fed on this food has
gained both in health and weight. The
general use of ensilage depends, of
course, on its cheapness. There is
hardly doubt expressed in regard to
its prOfitableneSS.