The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-06-15

"dub vi iudHuTe, dHu CULTIVATION grew
with less vigor.
Mr.. Henry S. COudon stated that h.
could suggest remedy for sorrel, but i
was not lime. HIS suggestion was the
cultivation of 1t, the saving Of the seed
aud sowing IT as any other crop, Leaving
the insect enemies of plants, bugs, etc.
to get rid of il, as was SO frequently the
case with OTHER growing crops. The
satire of the suggestion was fully appre.
ciated by the members.
The essay being next in order, Mr.
Magraw submitted the following upon
the subject assigned him:
FEEDING FOR BEEF, BUTTER AND MILK
The above subject assigned to me is one
that has been discussed time and again at
the meetings of the Club, both formally
and informally, and if a slang phrase be adj
missible, seems in a measure one of our
tavorite rutS of discussion. But, if possible,
l hope to add little fresh interest to it by
taking new tack in endeavoring to direct
the attention of the Club to a cheaper and
more economical feed for cattle, for the pro-
duction of milk and butter. The question
of feeding for beef l prefer to leave to my
more experienced friend and associate in the
Club, Mr.. Moore. do not mean oimply that
the suggestion | am about to make, is one
original with me, nor is it the first time the
hi baa haa sod Nv h. Flt,h
being believe the second time only. l re-
fer to enslage. Several years ago, when
the american Farmer was the only agriCul-
tural paper that published any articles on
the silo question, the subject was treated in
the letters of IA correspondent in France.
sent to France and got the book published
by Mr.. Goffort, the originator of the present
silo system. l read number of extracts
from the book at meeting of the Club held
here. l shall never forget the effect it had.
All seemed to think that | advocated a
complete revolution, not only in the feeding
cattle, but some asked me if our barns were
to be abandoned and replaced by pits. l
confess | was somewhat discouraged By the
however, that the sharpest critic had a silo
built before the year was out, but not ex-
actly after Mr.. Cohorts plan, which was
to build the silo of heavy masonry, the inside
to be made smooth with cement. After the
silo was filled the ensilage was covered with
heavy planks and they in turu with several
tons OF large stones or heavy blocks of wood
all of which had to be handled again as the
ensilage was moved or used. In spite of the
reception the extracts from CPS book received
[ felt sure his idea WAS correct, and was
destined to come into general use by all in
telligent farmers, so | concluded to wait and
see what time would bring forth. Since
then the system has been taken up in this
country in a manner that shows the correct
ness of the Goffort system as a means by
which cattle and particularly mich cows
can be more economically fed and made
more protita BILE. Indeed the system has be-
come so important an adjunct to farming
that yearly for several years convention of
farmers from all over the country has met in
New York and discussed the subject. The
result is that the system became known
over the length and breadth of the country,
and was taken up bv individual clubs and
agricultural colleges, all vieiug with each
other in the creditable endeavor to make
popular This wonderful winter ration for
cattle. And now The outcome of the numer-
GUS experiments conducted by many intel
fn 80, b,t II hnu
to stay, that siloS can be built of wood at
much less cost than of heavy masonry,
that the weighing is not necessary and
that if properly saved, packed and covered
the ensilage will not only make the best
winter ration but can be profitably fed the
whole year round. Some may ask, what
is ensilage? Ensilage is any green forage
crop cut in short lengths ard packed tightly
in a silo or air-tight chamber-green clover,
rye, oats, Hungarian grass, millet and corn
as it yields more tons per acre. and is taken
altogether the best call around crop. To
back up there remarks | will read extracts
from the Michigan Farmer published at
Detriot, Mich, and sent to me by James A.
Dell, formerly of Port Deposit. These ex-
tracts are taken from a series of articles on
silos and ensilage, by Prof. Samuel johnson
of the Agricultural College Experiment Sta
ton of Michigan. He,says:
Our experience with ensilage on the Col
lege farm dates from the year 1881, when
the State Legislature made a special appro-
priation of 81, 900 ''for the purpose of con-
Quoting experiments with ensilage for the
feeding OF animals, by the Farm Depart.
ment of the Agricultural College.
Our experience with ensllage has been
very satisfactory and our verdict of approval
has been more con irmed with each succeed
ing year, as reference to our reports of the
last eight years will show. Large silos have
been erected, and we now depend on ens.
lage for a good portion of our winters food
for our stock.
AS matter of convenience and economy
in handling the ensilage, the silo should be
as near the feeding room or stable as posi-
BILE, and on the same level. 1t may often
be economically located in the hay of the
barn, or in some adj jAcent building. The
cartipg of the enslage from the silo to other
buildings is not only expensive, but there
is more or less waste from the exposure.
In the early history of silos it was thought
that only stone, brick or concrete could be
used in their construction, ard that deep
excavations or pits We're preferable to hav-
80, ln 4
More exten led experience has demonstrated
the fact that these more expensive mater
ials are not necessary, but that silos built of
lumber preserve the ensillge as WELL if not
keeping the enslage when the silo is entirely
above ground.
At the recent ensilage convention held in
Cleveland a Vote was taken on building
silos: twelve voted for double boarding, with
tarred paper, and seven for only one thick
ness of mat ched narrow lumber on the in
side of studding.
Great ire should be taken to have the
W lis of the Silo smooth and vertical, so that
the eusilagr shall settle evenly.
SIZE OF THE SILO.
To determine the size of the silo, estimate
as a daily ration for each animal to be fed
about six per cent of its live weight. This
amount of good corn ensilage, with few
pounds of wheat, bran, oats, oil meal OF
clover hay will keep animals in fine condi-
ton, and also will he found u good milk ra
ton. Taking this estimate. to illustra tie
Ten cows. weighing 900 pounds each, will
consume 600 pounds of ensil,g e daily, OF
$4,000 pounds per month, or los, 900 pounds
in six months.