Oxford Democrat., 1911-09-19
Filling the Silo.
CONDITION IN WHICH THE CORN SHOULD
BE CUT-REFUsE FROM CANNING.

With the light crop of grain In the
country and the large amount OF sweet
corn planted in the east and CORE
spending heavy growth elsewhere, the
best methods OF caring for the stover
becomes of paramount Importance.
Quite a number of new silos are being
built in Maine, and suppose the same
holds true elsewhere, and q proper be-
ginning ia essential.
With continued filling of the silo the
conviction has come that too much haste
is harmful and that best results come
from slow filling, fine cutting into the
silo and light tramping. Care should
be taken, however, to sse that the mass
is kept level and that there is no ac-
cumulation of the heavier particles, in
cluding the ears, at any one place. II
is we'll also to keep the edges just little
the highest, and If possible, the hrmest,
as by so doing it will settle more closely
against the sides. There Is yet quite
difference of opinion as to the best time
to cut, but am quite firmly Of the opin-
ion that the usual practice is to cut too
green for best results. That cannot oc-
cur of course, with sweet corn stover,
but is true when special silage corn is
used, especially of varieties large for the
latitude. II the entire plant is used the
ears may we'll be allowed to become
fully enough grown to permit OF drying
for the crib. do not think there is
large gain in total food nutrients during
this latest period of growth, as there is
quite large transference OF material
from stalk to ear; but there is quite
little gain in total dry matter, and the
diminished quantity of moisture leads to
a less acid and q lighter colored silage.
Silage from evergreen material Is al
ways dark colored and Is inclined to
emit strong and not very agreeable
odors, while that from material properly
matured will hardly be noticed by the
odor, and then only at feeding time
This condition is highly desirable, par
ticularly where the silo is inside the barn
or is being fed to dairy COWS In milk.
Cobs and husks from the canning fac.
tory may be used to good advantage II
they do not have to be drawn too TAR !;
but would never advise drawing either
more than two miles, except In an emer.
eency. When cobs are used they should
be mixed as thoroughly with the husks
as possible when filling, as then the air
spaces will be better filled and closer
packing will result. The waste from
factories where q husking machine is
used and both cobs and husks are car
ried on an endless belt into one pile, may
be used to better advantage than where
each Is gathered separately. 1t is al
WAYS we'll that both be mixed with the
stover In filling as much as possible.
One should always remember that the
silo ia a vast can, and that any material
placed in 1t properly may be kept In
definitely. This should encourage care
in filling, as If all Is not used the hrst
season the balance may be kept for the
next or for any other season.
Twas in q barn last month where sill
age from the whole plant was being
used-and this one of the hottest days OF
the summer-which was put In the silo
| In 1909. No one could have told the dif-
ference between this and that which ap-
peared when the silo was opened; and
the COWS, although running In fairly
good pasture, were taking good feeds OF
L both morning and night. recently
investigated the condition OF silage In q
sllo which my son filled in 1907, and
which has not been opened, and 1t wal
found In perfect condition. The matter
of covering 10 of some Importance, bu,
not as much a. was formerly supposed
a. certain amount will rot In the tor
any way, but the closer the last filling
can be packed and the wetter tho last
foot or two can be made the sooner the
will mould form to seal Il over and tht
less the waste will be. There is nothing
that will pack closer than corn factory
husks, providing they can be obtained
green, and a. they are not Of 90 much
value a. the corn plant, either with Of
without ears, IL 10 good plan to get q
good load for covering. II these husks
are thoroughly vet after they are occa
sionally tramped for week or more, thl
sealing comes rapidly and with little
waste.-B. Walker AoKeen, Fryeburg
Me-, In Tribune Farmer.
II A young high spirited driving hors'
, for which friend paid $500 was render
J cd almost useless In single week by a