The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-05-18
SILOS AND ENSlLAGE.

Becoming Popular With Many Farmers.
So many different forms of silos are in
use varying in cost and capacity, says The
New York World, that lengthy descrip-
tions of them cannot be given, nor is it
necessary when the general principle is
understood. For silo of moderate capa-
city, which is to remain permanently for
use from year to year, it will be best when
it can be located inside of barn or some
other building, and indeed, in most other
cases, to have it all below ground by max
ing an excavation of the size wanted. If
the ground is firm cement on the smooth
dirt, but if liable to cave in then a brick
or stone wall will be required, which must
be cemented. One of the advantages of
such a silo over those wholly above
ground consists in the ease with which it
can be filled from the first floor instead of
elevating the ensilage in some way to the
top of one above ground. In taking out
from an underground silo only so much of
the top should be removed at a time as is
necessary for getting at it conveniently,
and the ensilage can be raised in large
tub or square box swung by blocks and
tackle, with the aid of small windlass.
A silo can be made of any form so that
air and water are excluded, but it will be
found best to make the width about one
third of the length, and the depth may be
from twelve feet upward as desired.
Large and expensive silos are usually
divided into compartments, with various
appliances for cutting, filing and empty
ing, according to the ideas of the owners.
It is estimated that for a COW that has
pasturage for half the year 275 cubic feet
of ensilage will generally be sufficient. In
locating a silo and determining whether it
shall be above or below ground, the con-
veniences afforded for cutting, filing,
emptying and feeding should be primarily
considered. In addition to the advantages
named, an underground silo once properly
made is a permanent affair, while one
made of lumber above ground and ex-
posed to the action of the atmosphere is
liable to shrinkage and openings, and a
large mass of fermenting material in close
contact with the boards will soon cause
decay.
The corn plant is so universally pre-
ferred for ensilage in this country that it
is unnecessary to discuss the merits of the
different grasses. Well grown stalks and
partly cared are more desirable than those
SO thickly sown as to be spindling and
watery. The seed may be drilled in rows,
three feet apart, with stalks eight inches
apart in the rows, with cultivation enough
to keep down the weeds, and the crop
should be harvested when the ears begin
to glaze, and should be hauled in and cut
into inch lengths or less, and shoveled In
and thoroughly trampled down as fast as
cut. It is desirable that the corners of the
cemented siio should be rounding rather
than square, and that the ends and sides
slope gently toward the center, making the
diameters at the bottom about a foot less
than at the top, when the settling down
of the top will prevent any crevice being
made at the sides by the shrinkage of the
mass below. The ensilage may be covered
in various ways. One is with boards COW
cred with earth and stones; another with
straw two feet deep and the straw covered
with muck or sand. An impression seems
to be gaining ground that the very heavy
weights once thought necessary may be
dispensed with, provided the covering is
sufficient to exclude the air, as the ten
dency of the finely cut mass is to become
compact from it's own weight. Cutters
costing from $50 or less upward, to be
driven by light horse power, can be had
from dealers in agricultural implements.
How to Feed Horses.
Horses have small stomachs; remember
this. A good plan is to divide corn ra-
tions into three daily portions, the hay
two. Many object to giving hay just
previous to work, as it distends the
stomach and causes the animal incon-
venience.
Delicate feeders must be tempted to
take their rations, and such should never
be fed too strongly at one time. "a Scotch
plate is a rule very generally observed in
England-everything cleaned up before
placing other food in the racks or hangers,
A little linseed boiled to a jelly and mixed
with the corn is seductive. Hay dampened
and sailed viii tempt others. Beans, q
double handful, are relish in weakly SUBJ
Jects, pale malt for the convalescent or
indisposed; damp bran and oats are en-
gaging for others. Some grooms give
carrots and tares In small quantities.
Carrots superinduce diabetes If given in
excessive quantities. The peculiar habits
of horses demand the attention of all
horse owners and grooms. A sufficiency
of flesh is all that is required, and not
hog fat" or "beastly fat" as some
Ihraao Il