Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1900-09-19
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FlELD's9Np GNKDEN
GIsS sS u 1873 - -
CORN ENSlLAGE.

Cutting the Crop, Rapid Filing,
Covering the Silo, Etc.
When corn is used, the entire plant,
including the ear, should be placed in
the slo.
The practice Of cutting the crop by
hand is general although it may be
done by horse power. Harvesting ma.
chimes of various patterns are made.
Self binders have been recommended,
using them to cut one low Of corn at
time. The most common form OF
harvester is sled or drag Of Y form,
with knives fastened to the edges OF
wings. This is drawn by one horse be-
tween two rows, the knives cutting the
stalks near the ground. When not in
use, the wings may be folded UP over
the center of the machine. One or two
men ride ON or walk beside the ma
chine and gather the stalks into arm
fuls as cut and place on the ground or
on q wagon, as convenient.
Numerous forms of wagons are used
for carrying the crop from the field,
but it Is advisable If possible to use a
low wagon, so as to save as much lift
Ing as possible. Wagons of this char
acter are sold in the market, or one
can have special small wheels, with
tires four or six inches wide, made for
putting on common farm wagon.
At one time 1t was considered ad-
visable to allow the corn to wilt in
the field before putting in the silo it
being thought to keep better. This
practice is no longer considered i'm
portant, and many silos are now filled
most successfully as fast as the crop
can be drawn from the field and cut.
Rapidly Of filling Is unimportant
so long as fresh fodder is placed in
the silo before mold is formed at the
surface.
Corn may be placed in the silo uncut,
but this practice is Objectionable. The
stalks will not pack as closely as the
cut fodder, and it is not so convenient
to handle or economical for feeding
purposes. The fodder cutter should
be placed so as to deliver the cut ma
terlal as near the center of the silO
as possible, so that the material can be
placed where wanted. The shorter the
fodder is cut the more satisfactory
1t is for feeding. One-half inch is a
very common length.
1t Is desirable to have careful per-
Io ell 70 &ut1N
fodder and trample we'll at the corners
and along the sides, thus having the
contents evenly and thoroughly pack
ed during filling. The silO should he
filled above the top edge. as the SilO
will settle considerably below it dur
Ing the process Of fermentation or
heating Temporary boards may be
placed above the edge for few days.
or fresh silage may be added to fill up
the settled space.
When the process Of ensilaging was
first introduced in America, it was
customary to place a close layer Of
boards on the surface Of the silage,
over which was placed heavy weight.
The idea was to press the silase as
heavily as possible and exclude the air.
The wcightug process was found to be
however, and this has
been generally dispensed with. After
filling some persons begin feeding out
from the top at once, thus preventing
NIL waste at that point. Others place
cut chaff or straw on the silage to a
depth, when settled, of six inches to
1ne foot. This prevents the decay Of
the silage. Perhaps the most salts
factory method is to place layer of
Jared paper smoothly over the surface
If the silage and then cover this to
lepth Of n foot or so with cut straw
When the corn is cut in very dry
season and is not ordinarily juicy, it
VIII be advisable to pour considerable
water on the silage after the silO Is
Tiled, especially when the contents are
1t high temperature.-C. S. Plumb.