Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-02-07
ENSlLAGe AND CORN FODDER.
Lecture in tho Farmers Course by II. w
Vail of Pomf,et,

Vail of Pomf,et,
An audience Of about 30 gathered at the
State experiment station yesterday afternoon
at tho second lecture in the farmers course
President Buckham announced that Gov.
Ormsbee was present and would say few
words. Gov. Ormsbee said there was no
industry so important as that of agriculture.
Four out of five of our State legislators are
farmers. There Is great satisfaction
throughout the State in connection with
the board of agriculture. Last sea-
son was indeed a doleful one for farm
ers but there is no reason why we should
not expect better times in the future l
hope that none of you are alarmed or will
leave this good State because of this aban-
donod farm talk. believe that there is
danger OF too much talk of this character.
1t may result in danger TO our State. A
hundred years ago the hill sides were occu
pied because the valleys were full of malaria
and uninhabitable for sanitary reasons
Now. however. their fertile lands are cult
waited and the hill sides left to pasturage
aud woodlands. We are all here. Ver
mont hos lost none of her population, al
though il has been considerable of task to
supply the rest of the world with big men.
To farmers | would say, on your shoulders
and on those of your associates throughout
the State rests the prosperity of our State
| wish you all success.
Mr.. II. W. Vail of Pomfret, OF the Board
of Agriculture, was then introduced by
President Buckham as one of the first to ex-
pertinent with ensilage. Mr. Vail said that
the word ensilage was derived from the
French and meant originally the digging of
trenches in which TO store roots. From
this process came by succession of changes
our present silo. Mr.. Vail spoke OF the
introduction of ensilage into this State
Capt. Morton of Essex, an old sea captain,
took some samples to u farmers convention
at st. Adams. The samples created much
disappointment because of the unpleasant
smell. Mr.. Y all was induced by circumstances
to try the experiment seven years ago and
had since been so successful with many
kinds of crops that he would not do with
out it now. Corn will always be the most
economical crop because so much can be
raised on an acre.
1t was formerly thought that sios must
be built of stone or brick, but it has been
found that wooden silo is not only the
cheapest but the best, hemlock being the best
timber to use Even after severe frost
if corn can he gathered at once and placed
in a silo there will be comparatively little
loss. There is nothing that COWS like better
than ensilage unless it be apples Cows
seem to demand something of a succulent
nature in their food. Ensilage seems to
tend to good health in COWS eating it. In
| tammatory diseases are less frequent.
Would not feed much to horses. A silo is
of much benefit in carrying cattle over the
season Of dry feed. In growing corn for
ensilage it is best to use the variety that
will mature the largest in any particular
section. Let it grow until it becomes
glazed. Particular care must be
taken to cut rye oats, barley
and other grains with hollow stalk be.
fore they are too ripe. The speaker used
the Sanford corn. Three tons of good en-
Stage are equal to one ton of hay. \ silo
II feet square and 16 feet deep is plenty
large enough for four acres of corn.
Prof. Cooke thought that 10 tons of en-
silage per acre would be paying crop, and
of much more feeding value than the hay
that could possibly be raised ON that
amount OF land.