The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-02-14
DUB FARM BUDGET.
The Feeding Value Of Ensila :.
How to Stop a Runaway Horse
Developing the Cows
Udder.
Grapevine supports-Potatoes for Seed
Household HInts-Farm
Notes, Etc.
the F.ed,nr value OF EnsiIago.


The Agricultural Bureau, in response to a
series of questions on the ensilage of fodder,
gets from the farmers in all parts of the
country who have tried it eighty heavy in
dorsements and nothing else; and DR.. G. G.
Caldwell, of Cornell University, in discuss
ing the condition and prospects of the new
system of storing fodder, which appeared in
the New York Tribune, makes some excel
lent comparisons of the feeding value on en-
silage and roots. The entire cost of every
ton of fodder deposited in the soils need not
exceed ESQ, or 49, % for every ton of dry
substance. With mangolds - estimat-
ing the crop at 5400 pounds-the cost
would be S62 or $40 26 per ton of dry sub
stance per acre. If we put the average cost
Of the acres yield of hay at $40, then for
the cost of ton of dry substance in this
standard article of fodder we have s1l.66.
With regard to cheapness of production of
"a given quantity of nutrient substance, corn
fodder whether pat in the silo or not, has
therefore no advantage over roots, and Is
inferior to even ordinary hay. 1t il claimed
that ensilage corn fodder has feeding
value not indicated by its composition. and
that pound of its dry substance will pro-
duce more milk than a pound of dry sub
stance Of similar composition. as to albu-
sminoids fat and carbohydrates in hay or
other fodder. As yet no satisfactory proof
has been given that by ensllaging corn fod-
der it is made more nutritious, digestible or
productive and we must wait until feeding
experiments shall have been performed
with corn fodder from the same field, part
ensilsged and part dry.
The advantages, however, are that the sys-
tenn of ensilage applied to tOdder-corn,
further states DR.. Caldwell, enables the
farmer to produce from a limited area of
ground larger quantity of nutrients for
cattle than can be obtained in any other
\ crop except roots, and at no greater cost.
The fodder thus Obtained is, without any
further preparation, most palatable TO cat
tile is eaten without waste, and is perfectly
Wholesome. Like the root crop it carries
into the winters feed some of the sue
culenoy of the summers pasturage and,
given with the dry feed, keeps the animals
in better condition, and therefore May en-
able them to produce more milk and flesh
on the sum total of the fodder of all
richer in albuminoids than roots, and may
be stored in any sort of weather in which
work is possible out of doors 1t also pro.
vides for maintaining a supply of succulent
fodder in the late summer and early fall
when the fields are burned up by drought
which prevents resort to dry food prema-
turely, thus diminishing production curing
such times. Further experience and exper
imentation may show that the system i!
capable of accomplishing more than ha.
been granted; but until this has been con
clusively shown the prudent farmer will no
calculate upon more. There is both CREATE
measure as well as profit in such manage
ment of affairs that expectations are more
than realized than in management that lead
to only partial disappointment.
The new system, however, has been widel!
tested. and the results are largely in its ia
vor. Its opponents are found chiefly among
those who have given it no actual test, de
pending principally upon theoretical reas
y ons for withholding their favor. When pu
in practice the system has in no case beer
discarded, and it Is becoming of general Us
on all we'll regulated farms. II no other 90
ject be secured than that of providing green
ptsucculent food in winter, even granting tina
Its feeding value is less than may be sup
posed, it will be valuable acquisition il
that respect alone.