The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-07-21

i stone, concrete, steel and other silos,
and finds that the material of which
the silo is made makes little or nevdif-
ference In the qualify Of the sifage. If
good smooth alright wall is formed
and the material istramped well, there
should be mo- spoiled silage except at
the topS Professor Eckles has had
long experience in feeding silage to
| dairy cows, some of which made
worlds records. He says that while
spoiled silage may not seem to injure
some farm animals, it is dangerous to
others, and 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 silo was sealed or feed
ing was begun Immediately after I'LL
ing, from six inches to a foot at the
top is sure to be spoiled. 1t shDuld
be put where it cannot be reached by
any farm animals. EoWeradQwn,I the
presence of spoiled silage always fndi-
Gates the presenee of air., as the
molds which give # the appearance OF
rotten manure could not work without
air. The lack OF sufficient water in
filling is the commonest cause of the
presence OF mir, but sufficient trnmping
In an alright structure IS also peces-
sary. Red mold, which sometimes
causes alarm, is no more dangerous
than the less conspicuous forms which
often pass unnoticed. AK
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 number of extension men
always at work explaining methods.
One of these men gives the following
practical suggestions:
Don't wait too long to fill the silo.
Begin as soon as the corn is right for
fodder. The kernels should be in the
dough stage but dented and the lower
leaves turning brown. Let the corn
mature as much as possible without
becoming so dry that water must be
added to make the silage pack solidly
and ferment properly.
Cut into pieces half to three-fourths
of an inch long to make them pack
well and to prevent waste in feeding.
This takes more power, but is worth
it. Pack well with concrete hampers,
keeping the silage higher at the wall
RI N in tho ooptar
Fill slowly, if possible letting the
silage settle day or so at a time.
This makes 1t keep better and In
.reases the amount the silo will hold
This amount may be still further in
,reased by using woven wire TO hold
more silage at the top. 1t will gradu-
lily settle into the silo, but tends to
poll while doing so. If more silage
$ added after such settling, take out
he spoiled layer at the top.
If caught by frost, the corn, for sill
ge should be cut before it dries OUT
lfter that, add water. The corn may
ven be shocked to put In at a more
time or to refill the silor
enough water is added.
The experiment station has pub
shed bulletins on shock corn for sill
ge, ssilo building, and silage, for
orses, mules and steers.
Sealing Suggestions.
There is always some loss on the
'p of the silage unless feeding is be-
IN as soon as the silo is filled. Where
lie silage is to stand for some time
fore feeding, it is customary TO run
three or four loads of corpstalkS
ON which the ears have been re-
owed. This material is packed thor
,ghly; then liberal supply of>water
added, which will help to seal the
o and only very small amount OF
lste viii result. Some farmers use
t straw as a covering; others soak
e top of the silage with water and
" oats which, when they terminate,
rm a dense mass which shuts out
= air and keeps the silage~ from
oiling.
No definite cost can Sc given for
0 filling, as it depends on many va
BILE factors, such as the distance
IN field to- silo; weather conditions,
being more expensive during wet
atber than clear weather; the eff
ncy of the machinery and of the
n. The cost has been estimated az
: as 40 cents and as high as 81 per
|. Seventy-fve would proba-
s.bena fair u = = = u -