The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-07-13

stone. concrete, steel and other silos
and finds that the material Of which
the silO is made makes little or no diff
ference in the quality of III" Silage. II
Il good smooth air-tight wall is formed
and the material is tramDcd well, there
should be no spoiled sllagc except at
the top. Professor ECklCS has had
long experience in feeding Silagc to
dairy cows some of which made
worlds records. He says that while
spoiled Silagc may not seem To iujurc
some farm animals, it is dangerous to
others. aud has lost much of its food
value for all. The loss results almost
entirely from mold, and could have
been prevented, although the only
thing to do now is to study what has
happened in your silo and learn how
to do better next year.
Unless the SiIo was sealed or feed
ing was begun Immediately after I'LL
ing, from six inches to foot an the
top is sure to he spoiled. II should
be put where it cannot be reached 10y
presence of spoiled silagc always iuGt-
Gates the presence of air. as the
molds which give it the appearance Of
rotten manure could not work without
air. The lack of sufficient water in
filling is the COmmOncSt cause of the
presence Of air, but sufficient trampinr
in an alright structure is also noccs-
sary. Red mold. which sometimes
causes alarm. is no more dangerous
than the less conspicuous forms which
often pass unnoticcd.
Fill SiIos Right.
In order to get the facts which the
experiment station is discovering into
practice on the farms of the state the
college has Il number of extension men
always at work explaining methods,
one of these men gives the following
practical suggestions:
"Dou't wait too long To FIJI the Silo
Rcgin as soon ms the corn is right for
fodder. The Kernels should he in III"
dough stage but dcntcd and the lower
leaves turning brown. Let the corn
mature as much MS possible without
becoming so dry that water must tie
added TO make the siIuge pack sulidly
and fernent properly.
Cut into pieces half TO thrcc-fourths
of an inch long 10 make them pack
well ana TO prevent waste in feeding.
This takes more poWcs but is worth
it. Pack well with concret" hampers,
keeping the Silngc higher ut the wall
than in the center.
Fill slowly, if possible letting she
silage settle a day or So at time.
This makes II keep better ana in
crcases the amount the silo will hold.
This amount may be still further in
creased by using woven wire to hold
more siagc Mt the top. II viii Eradu
ally settle into the silo, but tends 10
spoil while doing SO. If more silnge
IS added after such settling take ont
the spoiled layer NJ III" top.
If caught by frost the corn for sil-
age should be cut before il dries out.
After that, add water. The corn may
even be shocked to put in ut more
convenient time or 10 rein the silo,
If enough water is added.
The experiment station has pub
liShcd bulletins on shock corn for sill
age, silo building and slagc for
horses, mules and steers.
Sealing Suggestions.
There is always some loss on the
top Of the silagc unless feeding IS be
gun as soon MS Che silO Is flied. Where
the slagc is 10 stand for some time
before feeding, II is customary To- run
in three or four loads Of cornstalks
from which the ears have been re-
moved. This material Is packed thor
ouChly; then a liberal supply of water
is added, which will help to seal the
SIlo ana only u very small amount of
ont straw MS u covering; others soak
The top Of the silug" with water and
sow onts which, when they gcrminutc,
form n dense mass which shuts ont
the fir ana keeps the siIagc from
spelling. }s,4,r'. rs ,..e.s'--r,.-...
No definite cost can bc given fir
silo filling as 1t depends ON many Ea-
rable factors such as the distance
from field 10 siIo: weather conditions
II being more expensive" during wet
weather than clear weather; Tho obi.
cheney of the machinery ANA of ~
men The cost has been estimated u-
lUW as 80 cents ana us high pe 81 rpf.