The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1886-02-17

silOs, in the summer of 1880, the
idea was that only those built of
cement or brick, in the ground,
would answer the purpose, and
costing at least SIS per ton to build.
Now they are built on top of the
ground, entirely Of wood and earth,
and at cost Of from 75c. to 81 per
ton. These keep the ensilage as
well as those constructed of cement
or brick, are much more convenient
and involve less labor to feed from,
| have two wood silos, built in 1881.
above ground, and holding 1SO tons,
both costing not more than 1925,
the repairs since, not exceeding $25,
which are now in good order and
full Of ensilage, and have been
filled every year since they were
built. The contents without excep-
tion have been fed in good condition.
The silos [ built in 1880 (of cement
below ground), held 125 tons, and
cost me about So per ton. These
also have been filled every year
since sometimes twice year,, and
the ensilage was not any better pre-
served than in those built Of wood.
Since began to make ensilage, in
the fall Of, 1880, | have fed my
horses, mules, and COWS almost ex-
cluSively on it, and have yet to see
any bad results from it; on the con-
trary, ! have been able to keep them
in much better condition than be-
fore | commenced it's use. In the
year 1879 | had nine mules and
horses, and about as many cattle,
and besides the long forage l could
conveniently make on my farm, I
paid out over 500 for hay, bought
by the carload in Richmond. / am
now feeding fifteen head of horses
and mules, and thirty cattle, and
pay out nothing for hay, and my
farm is no larger now than it was
then The extra manure / now
produce pays me fully, l am per-
suaded, for the cost Of the ensilage
l use corn and cow-pea vines exclu-
sively for ensilage-the former, as
/ use it, is cheaper; the latter makes
the best ensilage.
For the past three years | have
used corn constantly for this pur-
pose, after it was sufficiently ma
tured to sustain no injury, when the
blades were ri pc enough for fodder.
| pull the corn, then cut the stalks
down to the ground (blade on), haul
and cut them in three-quarter inch
lengths, and pack in the silo; then
weigh as usual. This makes a very
desirable food; the stock all like it,
and / have never seen any bad
effects from it; During the three
years named | have put up 100
tons per year from this source. My
experience is that land producing
five barrels of corn to the acre will
will make five tons of ensilage, or a
ton to the barrel. / regard the
ensilage as more valuable than corn,
and the cost Of putting it into the
silo is less than seventy-cents per
ton. | grow no corn exclusively
for ensilage ; most of it made in the
United States is from corn grown
expressly for the purpose. l am of
opinion that at the times | cut it, it
is as valuable for ensilage as at any
period of it's growth-hence a great
saving in making both crop of
corn and ensilage. / see that 9th
ers are adopting this plan to advan
tage.
My great plant for ensilage is the
ordinary field Or cow-pea. OF this
l put up about 200 tons yearly, and
it is greatly preferred by my stock
to that made of corn. This pea
crop l grow chiefly after wheat and
oats [ break the land as soon as
the wheat is taken off, then plant
in drills three feet apart, eight to
twelve peas in a hill, using the
Eureka corn planter, dropping
every twenty-one inches; side them
up once or twice, if need be and
grass is troublesome plant from the
25th of June to the 10th of July,
which gives ample time for the ma
turity Of the plant for ensilage, pro-
ducing from five TO ten tons per
acre, at a cost not exceeding $1.50
per ton, and worth 25 per cent more
in feed value that corn at any stage
of it's growth. With this plant
properly utilized with the system of
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