Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-09-03
HINTS
ON FILLING S|LOS
Methods Of Harvesting, Haul
ing and Cutting SiIage
Crops Explained

the time when they will be glad to
have some suggestions as to filling
their silos."
Supplying such information at the
time when farmers need it is precise,
ly what the Press Bulletin is for, so
the editor has secured for their use the
following points on putting up corn
silage
Corn is the principal silage crop
because it produces more silage to the
acre than other crops, it is easier to
harvest and put into the silo, it isl
cleaner Favored and more palatable,
it packs well, and it contains the re.
quired amount of sugar to make the
proper acids for preserving and flavor
ing the product. 1t should be cut for
silage when the kernels are past the
milk stage and are glazed and dented,
which is about the time the lower leaves
are turning brown, Younger corn makes
a more sour product and does not con-
tain 80 much nutrient as the mature
corn. Corn in the silked stage contains
80 per cent more dry matter than in the
tassel stage, 35 per cent more in the
milk than in the silk stage, and 55 per
cent more in the glazed than in the
milk stage. Immature corn is poor
feed. But if the crop is frosted before
| it natures it should be put into the silo
at once. If this is impossible, water
must be added to supply that lost by
evaporation. Very dry corn put into
the silo is apt to mold, or firefang, un.
less water is added,
Crew Required.
The amount of help required at silo
filling time will be determined by the
capacity of the silage cutter, the dis
tance to haul the corn, the size of the
loads hauled, and other factors. As a
rule, four to six men with teams will be
required, and four to six additional
men. The greatest economy in filling
is secured when there is just force
enough to keep the cutter running at
full capacity.
Cutting Corn.
The corn may be cut for the silo
either by hand or by the use of the
corn binder. The latter method is
preferable, and where the amount OF
silage put up each year does not JUS
tify the purchase of machine by the
individual, two or more farmers should
purchase one in partnership. In using
the corn binder, it will be found bes
to make the bundles rather small be
cause of the ease in handling and il
feeding into the silage cutter, On,
man with three horses should be abl,
, to cut six to eight acres per day. Hi
should not cut faster, however, than
L the wagons can haul the corn to tn,
r cutter.
Hauling the Corn.
+ The hauling should be done with low
t, wheeled wagons; or a low down racl
r can be easily made by the use Of tive
! Axe inch pieces Is or 90 feet lonl
bolted together at one end to form V
this end being suspended from thu
front axle by the use of long king
bolt. The other ends are attached be
II low the hind axle by U-shaped clevises
Ia End boards, built four feet high ant
"a flaring, will protect the wheels. Tn,
A loads should be as large as possible O.
is the expense is unnecessarily high.
n Silage Cutter.
W In the purchase Of cutter, tn
g considerations are: capacity of tn
+. machine, the amount Of work to b.
ne done, and the power available. TIL
power required will depend ON tn
IF size of the machine and the kind o
40 elevator used. The blower is NOR
10 satisfactory than the carrier becaus
il, Of the difficulty in setting up the ear
III rier, and the waste when used. Tn
blower pipe should be as nearly per
at pendicuar as possible in order :
e. eliminate fraction on the pipe and pre-
le vent clogging. As a rule one horse
nt power is required for each inch o
n. length in the cutting cylinder for gas
Ia oline power, and at least two.third
n. the same for steam power.
m Length to Cut.
As n rule the cutter should be set I
cut lengths Of from one.half to three
quarters Of an inch. The finer the Gu
the more solidly can the corn be packe
l. into the silo. Cutting the corn fine
IL reduces the capacity Of the machine 0
M requires an increase Of. power.
N Packing the Silage.
n It is very important that the silag
Or be thoroughly packed, in order TO el
le clude the air. II is especially in
it portant that the silage around tn
walls be closely packed, as this
a, where the air usually enters an
it where the silage spoils. While the sil
le is being filled, at least one man, an
is preferably two, should work in the silt
ID placing and packing the silage. tn
silage should be kept highest aroun
the walls than at the center and shoul
be constantly tramped about the wall
j. The silage in the center will pack itsel
u Distributing silage
The best results "a evenly distribu
lt ing the silage arc obtained from th
NJ use Of distributing pipe which attach'
~ ~ TO the end Of the blower pipe. unifori
~ distribution IL necessary for unifor
cC co packing and settling, which are essei
~ tal to the preservation Of the silage'
Ia Ia Adding Water TO Dry Corn.
n. II the corn has become very di
90 from being frosted or from gettir
is over ripe, water should be added,
rs the silage goes into the silo. This
very effectively done by tapping u
p blower pipe at the base and inscrtiI
half.inch hose, allowing consta
A. stream Of water 20 enter the pipe,
We Covering Surface.
gs n feeding begins Immediately aft
c- the sio is filled, surface spollage