The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-07-22

1t down with rock So heavily that tho
walls were burst. In the spring of tsS6
we took charge of large farm on which
tAree great underground silos had been
constructed, each 16x33 and "a feet deep
but feet of W. was ahova tbc
surface over these silos was built
prlck Darn IN which the cutting machin-
cry stood, supplied with steam from an
o'hef building, and with betting so ar
ranged that the cutter could be moved
over each pit in filling. This was very
convenient, so far as the filing was con-
cerned. While not approving the con
structlon or the proportions of these
great pits we We're obliged TO do the
best we could with them The first sea-
son we filled in the old way, with thick
ly soWn corn and covered with boards
and weighted with rocks On opening
the pit we found right under this cover
black, sinking mass of rot rCarly
loot thick, while the rest was good as
usual, though quite acid. Thinking
over this we determined to mend mat
ters. There had about that time been a
great deal of discussion in regard to
making sweet ensilage. We planted our
corn just had been accustomed to
plant for grain, and simply did not thin
it as we would have done had the grain
been the object. We had al magnificent
crop, and began to cut it when in the
roasting ear state and by the time We
were through the last of it was pretty
Well glazed. The silos were filled in
leisurely way. rain or shine, and having
plenty of power, we were able to get
ahead OF the hauling, and therefore haul
ed during a whole day and stacked the
corn il: the barn around the cutter, SO
that when we started the next DAY the
wagons could keep up with tie hachine.
Not particle of tramping was done
except to get the silage We'll into the
sharp corners. When a pit was full
foot of cut straw was placed over the
whole There were all sorts of productions
as to the result hut when the siios We're
opened we had the best and sweetest
ensilagc we had ever seen. The only
damage during the winter came from the
sweating of the cement wallis. About this
time We visited a large stock farm in
Southwest Virginia, and saw tnere thou
sands of tors of the finest ensilage stored
in wooden silos of the cheapest
struction and all above ground. There
was less loss in these wooden pens tlian
in our costly s;los. AMI we got th"Tc the
best wrinkle on the ensilage subject we
ever received. We learned that wooden
structure above ground was not only
cheaper but far better than a costlyy
cemented pit. Fof years past we have
made no silage, being in other lines of
work. But have never lost interest
in the practice and have kept an eye on
what our associates have been doing
alongside of us. Two of the first tub
eilos in this country were built at the
North Carolina Agricultural College
about twelve years ago, They were built
bv the students. and are still in use and
about as good as ever. They stand out
side the barn, with roofs hooded to the
side of the barn, where the carrier takes
the slage into them, ard they have
series of doors one above the other for
unloading The tub sllO has certainly
come to be The final result of silo builc-
ing and is about LGar perfect for the
purpose as anything We can contrive. If
kent well coated with boiled tar on the
inside, they last we'll, and there is no
need for adding to the cost by lathing
and cementing as some have advised.
Some of the most experienced ensilage
makers now declare chat there is no need
for a roof, and ihat rain on me Slla2e
does no harm. We are not prepared TO
advocate a rool1css silo out doors. But
we have learned that it is far easier TO
keep ensilage than il is to spoil II, ana
the only essentials TO be observed are TO
have it air-ti,ht at sides and bottom ana
to have a free ventilation above. lheh
cut and fill and it docs net matter
whether you put any cover over the corn
CT not. for it will soon make it's own
cover But we prefer to have the cover
made of cheaper stuff than corn IN our
experience corn is the only crop 10 use
in the siIo. Peas, clover, soy beans ana
other legumcs are far better MADE INTO
Eav and used to balance the ration WITH
the corn silage. We have never usec
the wooden hoops how used by many III
the Middle W est, and still prefer the
iron hoops.
THE CREAM OF THE BULLETINS.
The Pennsylvania State College AGil-
CULTURAL Experiment State, State College,
Pa Bulletin No. 56. Methods OF DAIRY
Feeding BY Harry Hayward.
The bulletin opens with the statement
that on many dairy farms the lapor
question has become problem SO s"rl-