meer 4 ae pg Qg ~ = s . B45 _ DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. AE henna SPECIAL REPORT—No. 48. * SILOS AND ENSILAGE. A RECORD OF JPRACTICAL TESTS IN SEVERAL STATES AND CANADA. WAS HEN GT.ON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 18382. a. va DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. SPECIAL REPORT—No. 48. SILOS AND ENSILAGE, € , 1 Ge “SS mh A RECORD pee LrOAL THs s SEVERAL STATES AND CANADA. WieAss HiNG TO: Ns GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1882. ya D. ot D, f rg wi ia (ft/s CONDE NAS. Page. WStterOMoLaNSIMISSION a ccc sic os oscisies Ssireslen soe 5 BESO So SS OE ASBAIUICLT OOUOSU ngGS 3 (CHPPTIP TRIKE? sap HeomenoSco bene SaGeoos cOSCso. Gaon dat on CS UGE DeRONOEOE CSnOpo DOSS 3 CMeda] GuOLG WEShl ONSteee sete ties cle slecielncee ieee se) a taeeleeelcan sae sa maiceleaceieace 4 NUM anveOl ANS WELSe ace sceiste cloacae cieeisieisctcl-mcm <-isewiseesiamale cc cis scicieleeeelam == 4 PAN OMOLN= Mae ere ioe) cciaiansise sae lemieis) rise selsisniaisici Poste Mall Seecsece emcees Mtn ccnetcons 29 avery We Desccscssrices ses Wiest Pomt=s22-< eeeeacet Neen et kesses 29 Hannum. JOnM Hasse sea. ser Waltham ees.) s-cccese's MassSesaecess 30 Ishi NniSeceeecnce se steers: Grotonmences ne eece eres Connysteece~- 31 Bris bres C1 Ee se sas sod seiee oa Kallhin'e lyaeeecssis Sos ee CONN aseneesss 32 Garrettin©s Witececeles scarce: intel distaste cco cs Nii@ eeccaiccce ay Gilbert, William H..-.......- Richlandesce <(ococeseaee ING SES os 33 Goodell, WF Hesacse/os5 4-1 = AMOS HN Vy BER eB eee ae OSSeE INHER eSe.coce OO Goodall; J.P .-<<-. meeeieeter Reabodyeoscens-baentoocs Massie nean oe 34 Greeny JacoDeesaceniace= is Wappinger’s Falls....-.-. Mo. Mec oaedneoe 34 Gridley; N.j:& iSon..5--. <2. - WiASSDIG eee eee occee INV eos ce cero Guerber iy cA sa ecice ose. IMOnSCYi aes ceetiecanoara se AS (Sra Gs Saas Bone 35 Hammond, Gardner G...... New London <...5....... COU ..5..... 36 II CONTENTS. Page. Statement of Hampton Normal School-.... Hampton -.------- ae Se EE Oa ann Harrigan, J...-------------- Foxborough....--. .-----Mass--------- 37 Henderson, Hon. C. B-..---- Bostolmesa.ssosseece=— Mass: ----<<5- 33 Jones, John Winslow. .----- PortlandWeneccssessee== MG ee rapestemes 38 sonesN. Botcse= eeeweeeee ee Melros6:c2 ccs +c stan scene Mass. .--.---- 39 Lapham, Henry .----------- Oconomowoc .----------- Wis c2ecceseer au Leonard Bros..---.----- ---- Grafton .-.--------++---- Mass. -22--sec04¥) Lincoln Bros \.-...--------- Woodstock: <--css.c<-s<- Vist caaeeee 41 Lippincott, James...---- ---- Mount Holly ...--.------ Ni eeee ceeae 42 Little, S....----------eece-- Georgetown -.----------- Mass: coer 42 McBryde, Prof. J. M..------ Knoxville. ...-..---.---- Tennhesss= ee 8) Merriam, W. W...---.------ New York City.--.-.---- NSN oe oes 44 Morris, Francis. .----------- Oakland Mills ....--.----Md .--. ------ 45 Morton, Capt. G..---------- WSSOx oe ee accmicicie ers cmee Wiliesse serseee= 46 Mott, J. M...--.------ ..-. Lansingburgh . ..-------- Ne Yiccoiesesnao Neilson, James ...---.------ New Brunswick .--.----- Nes ec eeeoBat Phillips, Capt. John...----- Hudson .----.- Oe eee ee Mass. 2acoeec 47 Pierce, George A------------ Stanstead ...-. eae ee Canada ...--. 48 Powell, George T-.--------- Ghent..---- -.-0+-+------ Ney eee = 48 Pugsley, Jacob ..-----.----- Wassaic..---.----------- Ni cesceseer 49 Reed, Alfred A..---.-- eekese Providence ...--.--- Spee) sted ee eS os 50 Roberts, Professor ..---- ---- [thaca -ecessers =-e=-=—— N:. Waucece een Rogers, J. B..---- aes wate Binghampton .-.-------- Nu Yceseeece= 52 Root, H. G..-.-- peeeeece sae Remington ...--.-------- Nitiecee ese 53 Seabury, E. K..---.-------- Walpole ..--..------ ---- IN, Elec cee 53 Sears Bros..---------------- Worcester. .----. ----+--- Massaccceseee 53 Skillings, B. F...----------- GIAY saosnc comes case sees Me wscccseeee 54 Smith, Francis H-.--------- Hyattsville ....--.- saeeee Md .cimcsosne 55 Sprague, N. T.------------ ERrandon cceaceseeaee <== Vitie.cts cemecme 56 Stebbins, Alonzo..---------- WernlON) conee aiceecceseeee V tissceeeereeee 57 Strong, W. C-...------------ Brighton .....2 .e-- eneeee Mass... essen o Sweney, Capt. A. H.-------- West Troy .---+0 e------- IN, Viissececee 58 Tanner, Dr. W. H..--------- IWiASSHIG 2 eatcle eto ei i IN. NeiSee Scere 58 Tarbell, Charles P..---- ---- South Royalton....------ Vtiscceeceeee 59 Thomas, A. T....----------- Franklin Park-...---.--- Nid ceseeeee 59 Thompson, Aaron S-.------- Maynard ...2<...-----=<- Mass..---.---. 60 Thompson, A. H., & Son.... Woodville......--------- Masss -a=s-s065 (0 Thompson, 8. N-.----------- Southborough -..-------- Masse eeiseer 61 Mire, liskicscas.t-sea= SAccc- ONC oaee. steees = ele Moe ...2sseeee 62 University of Wisconsin...-Madison ..-----++---+ ---- Wis sesec cess nox Vilas, W. M..-------------- Burlineton <-- 2-=---=--- Vii eaeceeee 63 Warren, William D....---.. White Plains ..5a<'e==~<- ING Yess cereeee 64 Weeks, L. W..---.---------- Oconomowoc ..-.--------- Wis) .-5- sees 64 West, Charles E....-..----- Dalton eco sce nciccee = Mass......--- 65 Whitman, John D.-...----- Dallas Centre..--. bide awias Tlowars-.2 Sose 66 Whitney, Artemas..-.-..--- Maynard ..---- ---- e---e- Massizesseeeee 66 White, George W-..-------- New York City..-...---- ING Ye ceeseeas 67 White, William W..-.------ Canaseraga ..----------- NED Gee aboc 67 Wollmer, J. A....00. ---- ---- TUMMET ..---- oe 202 oe oe IMGi Sceceeenee 68 Wright, E.......----- Jesse Pleasant Mills. ......---- IN: J'ee.comcee 68 Whitin, J. C...... secee. ---- Whitinsvillo ...... .----- Mass: -< 22 ccee 69 SILOS AND ENSILAGE. LETTER OF TRANSMISSION. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Washington, D. C., July 27, 1882. Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith a report on Silos and En- silage. Copies of a schedule of questions and an accompanying letter are ap- pended, in response to which the materials for a record of practical tests of silos and ensilage in several States and Canada were kindly fur- nished. These statements of men who have built and filled silos and fed ensilage, and a summary prepared for the convenience of readers, constitute the report. It was found necessary, in preparing the statements for publication, to bring them into the smallest compass that would admit plain answers to the questions proposed, and on some points, where the testimony was uniform throughout, much was omitted. Theoretical discussion, while in many cases deeply interesting, has been generally left out. The several topics treated in the statements and summary are arranged in the same numerical order as in the schedule of questions, which will serve to indicate the meaning where it is not fully apparent. Very respectfully, D. M. NESBIT. Hon. GEo. B. LORING, Commissioner of Agriculture. SILOS AND ENSILAGE. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Washington, D. C., June 10, 1882. Str: A growing interest among farmers and dairymen in the preservation of green fodder prompts me to ask the results of your experience and observations in the mat- ter of silos and ensilage. I will thank you to give, in responding to the accompany- ing questions, as full a statement of the results of your experiments as you conveniently can, including any points of interest not embraced in the specific enquiries, which may have come within your observation or knowledge. Will you also please give the names and addresses of any persons you may know who have experimented with ensilage ? I shall be glad to reciprocate your courtesy inany way that may be open to me, and in the event of the publication of a report upon the subject above indicated a copy will be forwarded to your address. Very respectfully, GEO. B. LORING, Commissioner. 4 SILOS AND ENSILAGE. QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO SILOS AND ENSILAGE. Location of silo with reference to feeding-rooms. Form of silo. Dimensions of silo. Walls of silo—materials, and construction. Cover. . Weight—materials used for, amount required, and how applied. . Cost of silo. Crops used for ensilage. Method of planting and cultivation. Stage of development at which fodder is most valuable for ensilage. . Weight of fodder produced per acre. 12. Kind of corn best for ensilage. 13. Value of sweet corn as compared with field varieties. 14. Preparation of fodder for silo—machinery used. 15. Filling the silo. 16. Cost of filling per ton of fodder put in, 17. Lapse of time before opening the silo. 18. Condition of ensilage when opened. i9. Deterioration, if any, after opening. 20. Value of ensilage for milch cows. 21. Effects of ensilage on dairy products. 22. Value of ensilage for other stock. 23. Quantity consumed per head. 24. Method of feeding—alone, or with other food. 25. Condition of stock fed on ensilage, both as to gain or loss of weight, and health. 26. Profitableness of ensilage, all things considered, ote oo NO OMIA a oe — © SILOS AND ENSILAGE—A SUMMARY. The following is a summary showing the general drift of practice and opinion on the several points enumerated in the schedule of questions, of those who have responded to the enquiries of the department. It is intended here to give a comprehensive view of the whole subject in the combined light of the statements which appear separately in the ap- pendix : 1.—LOCATION OF. SILO. A few have been built at a distance from the stables, but generally the silos are located with reference to convenience in feeding, in, under, or adjacent to the feeding-rooms. Local considerations will determine whether the silo should be below the surface, or above, or partly below and partly above. This is not essential. Where the stables are in the basement of a bank barn, the bottom of the silo may be’ on the same level, or a few feet below, and the top even with the upper floor.’ This arrangement combines the greatest facilities for filling, weighting, and feeding. 2.—FORM OF SILO. With rare exceptions the silos described show a rectangular hori- zontal section ; a few have the ‘“‘corners cut off,” and one is octagonal. a Sy gh Rn ei ie SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 5 (The cylindrical form, of which there is no instance in the accompanying statements, seems to have obvious advantages. If under ground, a eylindrical wall is self-supporting against outside pressure, and may be much lighter than would be safe in any other form. If of wood and above ground, the walls may be stayed with iron bands. In any case, for a given capacity, the cylindrical form requires the least possible amount of wall.) A given weight of ensilage in.a deep silo requires less extraneous pressure, and exposes less surface to the air, than it would in a shallow silo. For these reasons depth is important. If too deep there is danger of expressing juice froin the ensilage at the bottom. Where the ensilage is cut down in a vertical section for feeding, a narrow silo has the advantage of exposing little surface to the air. 3.—CAPACITY. OF SILO. The silos reported vary in capacity from 3564 to 19,200 cubic feet. If entirely full of compressed ensilage the smallest would hold 9.1 and the largest 480 tons, estimating 50 pounds to the cubic foot. Practically, the capacity of a silo is less to the extent that the ensilage settles under pressure. This should not exceed one-fourth, though in shallow silos, or those filled rapidly and with little treading, it is likely to be much more. A temporary curb is sometimes added to the silo proper, so that the latter may be full when the settling ceases. AWA SOK si O. For walls under ground, stone, brick, and concrete are used. ‘The choice in any case may safely depend on the cost. In firm soils that do not become saturated with water, walls are not essential to the preserva- tion of ensilage. Above ground, two thicknesses of inch-boards, with sheathing paper between, (the latter said, by some, to be unnecessary), seem to be sufficient, if supported against lateral pressure from the ensilage. 5.—COVER. A layer of straw or hay will serve in some measure to exclude air, but is not necessary. Generally boards or planks are placed directly on the ensilage. The cover is sometimes made in sections 2 feet, or more wide; oftener each plank is separate. The cover is generaliy put on transversely, having in view the uncovering of a part of the silo while the weight remains on the rest. Rough boards, with no attempt at matching, have been used successfully. SILOS AND ENSILAGE. Zea acres about 12 tons to the acre. I think a fair average crop would be 15 tons to the acre. 15. The harvesting, chopping, and filling, should-be done as rapidly as possible. If convenient the silo should be filled, covered, and weighted in two days. 16. Assuming $15 per acre for manure, $15 per acre for planting and cultivating, with a crop of 15 tons to the acre, 75 cents per ton for cutting, drawing, and packing, ensilage would cost $2.75 per ton. 17. Six weeks. 18. Temperature on opening, abont 90°. Condition apparently perfect; fermenta- tion vinous, and apparently stopped at that point. 19. Remained perfect until all had been consumed—about 100 tons. 22. More than the equal of hay, considering the cost of each, 23. An average of 85 pounds per head for 3-year-old steers, daily, for five and a half months. 24. With three pounds of grain daily. 25. Cattle fed as stated in 23 and 24 made a greater gain and were in better health and condition than others fed on 20 pounds of chopped hay and 3 pounds of grain. 26. I consider ensilage profitable, and believe it is entirely healthy, taking the place of roots. It is easily digested, as is shown by the uniform temperature of the animals and the condition of the skin and hair, OBSERVATIONS.—The claims made by many writers in regard to ensilage are extrava- gant; that it has certain advantages cannot be denied. First. Not more than 15 to 25 tons can be depended upon per acre. Second. It is more certain as a crop than hay. Third. Twice as many animals can be kept on the same acreage. Fourth. It is largely a substitute for roots. Fifth. The labor of feeding ensilage is much less than hay. Sixth. The space required to store ensilage is not one-quarter that required for hay. EXPERIMENT.—I fed 90 three-year-old steers, divided in three lots; cattle and feed weighed monthly. First lot. Fed 20 pounds hay with three pounds grain daily; runin yard with shelter. Second lot. Kept in warm stable and stanchions; fed 174 pounds hay, 1 peck man- golds, and 3 pounds grain. Third lot. Fed 85 pounds ensilage with 3 pounds grain; this lot gained one-quarter pound a day more than No. 2, and one-half pound more than lot No. 1. The cost 5 per cent. in favor of ensilage. JAMES S. CHarresr, Wassaic, N. Y.: 1.. By the side of and parallel with barn, and so arranged that the ensilage comes from the silo to the floor directly over the animals to be fed—the barn being built against a side hill, and the silo placed on the upper side. 3. 503 x 124 feet, 16 feet deep. 4, Concrete, of hydraulic cement, gravel, and cobblestones. 5. 14-inch spruce plank placed crosswise, and fitting loosely to sides of silo. 6. Stone, 75 pounds to square foot. 7. $350, including roof. 8. Corn. 9. ‘Drills, 3 feet apart. 10. When fully tasseled, and before any of the juices dry up or are gone for the formation of the ear. 11. I have produced from 16 to 30 tons of green corn per acre; should call 20 tons an average yield. 12. Blount’s Prolific best; White Southern next. 14. Cut one-half inch in length; cutter driven by a five-horse steam engine. 24 SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 15. Distribute the ensilage evenly in the silo, and pack as thoroughly as possible, putting in from 25 to 30 tons per day. After it is full put on a few inches of straw and place the planks. 16. 80 cents per ton. 17. Two months. 18. The ensilage loses its green color, but retains form and consistency, with no appreciable loss of moisture; has a slightly acid taste and alcoholic smell, with some- times a very small loss at top from mould and decay. 19. None. 20. It effects a saving of grain and forage, and cows thrive better. 21. The milk is richer and much pleasanter to the taste—more like that produced from pasture than from hay and grain, 23. 50 pounds per day to each cow. 24. Sometimes alone, but usually in connection with hay and grain. 25. A decided gain in flesh, appetite better, hair sleek and glossy, and eyes bright. The excellent condition of my stock has attracted the attention and admiration of numberless ensilage visitors. 26. The profitableness of ensilage lies mainly in the fact that it can be made to double the stock-carrying capacity of our Eastern farms, and that too at a very small com- parative cost. Its advantages to the sale-milk dairymen are incalculable, and I see no reason why they should be less to butter and cheese producers. Dairy farmers who have used silos two years have already added 50 per cent. to their former stock. Victor CHASE, Ballouville, Conn. : 1. In end of stable. 3. 10 x 14, 10 feet deep; 8 feet underground. 4, Stone. 5. Plank, matched. 6. Two cords of stone. 7. $50. 8. Corn. 9, Planted in drills. 13. Sweet corn is best. 14. Two-horse tread-power. 16. Four men, and two boys, with horses, in one and a half days filled the silo and put the stone on. 17. Two months. 18. It was of a brown color, with a little acid taste. 19. Color changed to a green after being exposed to the air a few bours. 21. One-quarter more milk from ensilage than from hay. Good butter, well colored. 23. Two bushels each. 24, Two quarts shorts and one of cornmeal. 25. Cows came out well. Sold three for beef in the spring. 26. It will pay; I have three times as much this year, GEORGE L. CLEMENCE, Southbridge, Mass.: 1. In basement of barn, rising 4 feet above floor of cattle stalls. 3. 40x 15 x 17 fect deep; divided into three compartments, each 15 feet long and 12 feet wide. 4, Walls and floor concrete. 5. One-and-a-half-inch plank, fitting closely. 6. Cobblestones to a depth of 18 inches. 7. $400. SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 25 8. Rye, corn, and clover. 9. Corn plauted in drills 3 feet apart, 34 pecks per acre, kernels about 4 inches apart in the drill, cultivated with smoothing harrow at intervals of four or five days, and once with a horse-hoe. 10. When in full bloom. 1l. Rye, 10 tons; clover, 8 tons; corn, 25 tons. Owing to severe drought the corn did not attain the growth it would in a more fayorable season. ~ 12. White Southern corn. 13. On account of the immense size of the above-named variety, I consider it worth at least one-third more than any of our variety of sweet corn. 14. I consider it of importance that the crop to be ensilaged should be free from dampness, as too much dew or rain will cause putrefaction. Cut into 2 inch length; eutter driven by a one-horse sweep power. I let clover wilt one day then put into the silo without being run through the cutting machine, 15. The labor of filling my silos is performed by four men and three horses. One man cuts the standing crop, another man with two horses loads and carts the fodder to. the barn, one man feeds it to the cutter, while the fourth man is in the silo treading it down. 16. Careful accounts of the cost of ensilaging my corn and rye make the average 40 cents per ton; clover, not being cut into short lengths, cost 25 cents per ton. 17. Depends on the condition of my pastures and the lateness of the season. 18. There is a change in the color, yet even this is often very slight; as to feeding qualities, I can perceive no loss. 19. I keep all but one section of the ensilage covered; there is no perceptible loss. 20. I have never known it to fail to increase the tlow of milk over dry hay of the best quality. 21. As a natural consequence it imparts a taste to the milk and butter analogous to that produced by the green grass of our pastures. The milk and butter have more body and are richer and better than from the best of English hay. 22. I cannot speak in too high praise of its excellence as food for young stock, poultry, and swine. 23. I fed 70 pounds per day to an ordinary sized cow. 24. My practice is to feed immediately after the morning milking, 25 pounds corn ensilage and one quart cotton-seed meal; second foddering, 4 pounds of English hay ; third foddering (12 m.), 20 pounds of clover or rye ensilage ; fourth foddering, 4 pounds English hay; fifth foddering (directly after milking), 25 pounds corn ensilage and 1 quart cornmeal, 25. Without exception my stock thrived on ensilage. It gives a vigor and healthy appearance not seen in hay-fed cattle. 26. It enables us to make milk and butter in winter as well as in summer, and to keep our stock at one-half the expense of dry fodder. We can keep, on the same amount of cultivated land, a much larger stock of cattle, thus increasing our supply of manure and the fertility and value of our farms. A. R. CLEVELAND, Dalton, Mass. : . Attached to end of cow stable. 30 x 15 feet, 16 feet deep; one-half above ground. . Concrete, of cement and gravel. Straw 6 inchesdeep ; planks 14 inches thick. Weighted with large stones 2 feet deep. With the exception of my own work and team, the cost was $308.75. 8. Corn and Hungarian grass. 10. When in bloom, 11. From 20 to 35 tons per acre. OOP oe 9 8) 26 SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 16. About $1 per ton. 17. Two months. 1x. The top was 6 inches of Hungarian grass, 2 inches of which was a little mouldy, The corn smelled sweet and good; after standing twenty-four or forty-eight hours, the odor was similar to that of new bread. 19. It was all uncovered, and being exposed to the air, it smelled and tasted rather sour at the last, but the cattle always ate it with a relish. 20. I think 3 tons of ensilage equal in value to 1 ton of the best timothy hay. 21. After feeding ensilage one week my six cows gained 12 quarts in their milk per day; did not gain any more, but held their own. The milk and butter were as good as that obtained in June on good pasture. 22, Young cattle and sheep ate it with a relish, and in preference to good hay. 23. 60 pounds per day to each cow. ; 24. It was fed at morning and night, 30 pounds at a feeding, with a small foddering of hay at noon. I seldom fed it alone, using wheat middlings and cornmeal, half and half, 4 quarts a day. 25. As I fed it, my stock improved in flesh and looks, being in poor condition when — I commenced feeding. 25. It enables one with a little land to keep a large amount of stock. Last year I bought $180 worth of hay; this year I have wintered five more cattle on the same land and sold $100 worth of hay. Cor Bros., West Meriden, Conn. : 3. Our two silos are each 33 x 14 x 16 feet deep. 4, Walls 18 inches stone and mortar, lined with cement. 5. 1 foot straw, and boards. 6. 100 pounds stone per square foot. 7. $500, 8. Have ensiloed corn, and grass corn and cow peas mixed, with equal success. 9. Corn sown with grain drill on sod, plowed immediately after mowing. Culti- vated with smoothing harrow. 10. When the ear is in the milk, oa earlier. 11. Largest yield (ascertained by weighing an average square rod), 16 tons per acre. 12. We have planted the large Southern White corn. 14. Cut with reaper in field, and used water-power to cut it in one-third-inch pieces. 16. Estimate, $1 per ton. 17. One to three months. 18. Always in good order. 19. No deterioration after opening. 20. Cows have thriven exceedingly well, whether fed with it alone or with grain, in avout the quanity used when feeding hay. 21. Butter and milk from cows fed upon it have the appearance and quality of the same made from grass, 22. Sheep thrive. Have fed to horses but once. Last fall we fed a mare and wean- ling colt from the same ensilage that we fed to other stock. The colt died after three or four days, and the mare after five or six. Symptoms were inability to swallow, chewing food and dropping it, holding mouth in water without drinking; and in the mare’s case, excessive scouring. We attribute it to the ensilage, as our other horses, hay and grain fed, were perfectly healthy. 26. Weestimated that our silos paid their cost the first year, though only half filled, notwithstanding loss of valuable blooded mare and colt. We have found ensilage better feed for cows than clover-hay eut before bloom and ‘‘mow browned,” which was the best fodder that we had ever used before. . Sagi bo ~l SILOS AND ENSILAGE. P. H. Conant, Smithland, Ky. : 1. Silo located in aside hill—was formerly used as a cistern. During feeding season we hauled from silo to barn cellar and stable each day’s feed the night before using. 3. 12x 13 x 10 feet. 4. Stone cemented, 2 feet thick. 5. Two thicknesses of 1-inch plank, laid so as to break joints. 6. Rocks, 14 feet deep over whole surface. 8. Corn. 9. Drilled, ordinary cultivation. 10. Half-grown fodder, and ears in or just out of the milk, mixed about half ef each; cannot estimate value of either—was obliged to cut to save it on account of drouth, 12. Large white Southern. 14 and 15. Cut in half inch pieces. Having a grist mill run by steam power we cut corn there, with ensilage cutter, and hauled to the silo. 17. 90 days. 18. First class—except about two inches around the outside and over the top. 19. None at all. 20. Good. 21. Three family cows doubled quantity of milk in two weeks; increase of cream in proportion to quantity of milk. 22. Equally good for mules and horses. 24. Mixed ten per cent. of mill offal—meal, bran, and shorts. Filled rack with good timothy hay. Stock ate ensilage in preference. 25. Condition good. 26. Paid well. We believe stock can be kept for one-half the cost of any other feed, and will fatten as much as during months of May or June on grass. CARLES T. CROMWELL, Rye, N.Y. : 1. [selected a side hill for my first silo, and have a door on the level yard where the cows are fed. 3. 9x 15x15 feet deep; intended to store fodder for four or five cows. 4. Both of my silos are built under ground. Walls of stone, 18 inches thick, laid up and faced with cement. Bottom, concrete. A blind drain extends around the sides. 5. 2-inch plank. 6. 8S inches of soil, but don’t use sand. Cattle and horses like a little clean soil. 7. The cost of my silos is not a fair criterion for others who seek utility only. The silo I have just finished is built in the field where my cows pasture, for the purpose of supplying them with green fodder in the months of July, August, and part of Septem - ber, when the grass is dried up. This silo is 6 x8 x 9 feet deep. This silo will cost me about $150. The one constructed last year cost almost $350. Both are covered by ornamental buildings, which add about half of the cost. 8. My experience leads me to believe that everything of vegetable nature that ani- mals will eat, will make useful ensilage. For example, last year I cut up and packed away in my silo, Ist, 18 inches of green oats; 2d, 6 inches of red clover; 3d, 6 inches of Canada peas; 4th, 2 inches of brewer’s grains; 5th, 2 feet of corn, sowed broad- cast, more rag-weed than corn in the crop; 6th, 5 inches of common full-grown grass; 7th, a foot of sorghum; 8th, corn planted in drills. I spread over every 6 or 9 inches a light sprinkling of salt, not so much to preserve the ensilage as to make it more pal- atable. The cattle and horses ate all, including rag-weeds, greedily. 9. The more manure and the better the tilth, the greater the product. My prefer ence is for drill-planting ; I think it wise to sow corn in drills very thick. This gives a greater number of stalks, but not so heavy and big as thin planting. 10. Rye, oats, or corn should, I think, be put to the machine when the grains first begin to be in milk; then they are most succulent and most nutritious. 28 SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 12. The Mammoth Southern corn is best. 13. Not equal to the above. 14. My view is that the finer it is cut the more closely will it pack, and it requires less mastication. 15. Tread it while filling, closely as possible, to keep out the air. The ensilage after being in a day became quite warm, so it was not pleasant to keep the hand immersed init. The warmth is only the commencement of fermentation, is arrested as soon as covered, and does more good than harm. 17. Two months. 18. Excellent, fresh and sweet; it had changed its color from green toa brownish hue. ; 10. The last of it moulded slightly on the surface, from want, I think, of keeping the silo shut, but my cows ate it all; the mould didn’t penetrate a half inch into the ensi- lage. 20. One cow inereased her milk from 3 quarts to 7, and was in good condition for the shambles all winter. 23. A cubic foot each per day. 24. My custom was to cut out with a hay-knife, each day, enough ensilage to feed the cows the next day; shake it up so as to disintegrate it, and mix a quart of bran or ornmeal for each cubic foot. 25. My cows were never so healthy or in so good condition as when fed on ensi- lage. 26. I look upon ensilage as of the utmost importance to the whole country. Dr. L. W. Curtis, Southbridge, Mass. : 1. Should be so located as to open into the stable where cattle are fed, 3. 20x 12 feet; 10, 18, and 22 feet deep. 4, Sand, gravel, and cement, if out of doors ; in a barn, double-boarding with tarred paper between, will do. 6. One and a half feet deep of stone. 7. Much depends upon how accessible the materials are. As I have sand, gravel, and stone near, it enables me to build cheaply. My three silos, with capacity of 250 tons, cost $300. 2, Corn, rye, clover, Hungarian, oats, rowen, and corn stover. 9, Sow rye in fall after taking off corn; and corn again in June after cutting the rye; cultivate corn with harrow and horse-hoe. 10. Clover when just coming into blossom; rye just after heading; corn and Hun- garian when in blossom; my rowen I put in without cutting ; Lalso pick my corn just as it is glazed, cut the stover and put into silo. It makes good fodder if careful not to let it dry. 11. 40 tons of corn to the acre, and on the same ground 5 to 10 tons of rye. 12. Large Southern kinds. 14. Cut corn and rye three-quarters of an inch long—if longer, more pressure is re- quired; I use horse-power. 16. Fifty cents per ton will do it. 17. Four to six weeks. 18. Good; rowen cut when dew was off was very fragrant. 19. If fed slowly it may become acid on top, nothing more, 20. Three tons are worth more than a ton of hay. Cattle eat it in preference to hay, and give more milk. ‘21. Milk is better while feeding ensilage and cotton-seed meal than with hay and meal. The butter is like June butter. 22, All stock like it, and with a little meal, bran, or hay they do better than on the best of hay. They do not have to undergo the change from green to dry feed, and do nearly as well as at pasture. SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 29 23. 25 pounds per feed twice a day. 24. With five pounds of hay. When nearly done eating mix some bran or meal with it, and they never leave any. The hay is given at night. A change is desira- ble. 25. Cows always gain unless in full flow of milk. Stock always does well. 26. Silos are profitable. 40 or 50 tons of fodder per acre may be grown, which is worth more than 15 tons of hay. I can cure my clover and have it as good as when eut, and am not afraid of rain. W. A. Dover, Post Mills, Vi.: 1. Door opens into feeding room. Top even with barn floor. 3. 24x 10 x 16 feet.deep. 4, Walls of stone laid in cement 8 feet below floor of basement, and brick above. 5. Plank 3 inches thick and 8 inches wide. 6. Cobblestones, about fifteen tons. We rolled them on, and when we wanted to remove them rigged a set of ‘‘ falls,” and lifted them with a horse in a short time. 7. $300. 8. Corn. 9. Planted with drills, 34 feet apart, cultivated the same as for any corn crop. 10. Fodder is the most valuable when it begins to ear, or the ear is in the milk. 11. From 20 to 35 tons per acre. 12. I used the dent or horse-tooth. 3. Sweet corn is better than common field varieties. 14. Used a one-horse power; cut ? inch.’ 15. Put in about 15 tons per day. Kept it well trodden. 16. 50 cents per ton to put into silo. 17. 7 weeks. 18. The straw and about 2 inches on top was damaged ; the remainder in splendid condition. My stock ate it as though it was so much meal. 19. None. 20. A great advantage to milch cows. 21. No bad effect on butter. 22. Good for young stock. 23. 60 pounds to the head. Large cows take more and small ones less. 24. I fed ensilage and meal to milch cows, and ensilage to heifers and dry cows last year, without any other fodder; but I think it better to feed dry fodder once or twice a day. 25. My stock never looked better than when fed on ensilage. It lasted till the 1st of April; after that stock fell off in flesh. 26. All things considered, I am satisfied that it is the most profitable way of winter- ing stock in this part of the country. Wo. B. EAGER, West Point, Nebr.: 1. Our silos, four in number, requiring five side walls, are located about 1,600 feet from the barns, and ensilage is conveyed in wagons. 3. 40 x 12 feet, 19 feet deep each, inside measurement. 4. Upright pine timbers 12 inches wide, lined inside with 2-inch plank ; outside with inch boards. Space filled with dry clay tamped solid. Floor, 2-inch plank, over 4 inches of broken brick. 5. 14-inch plank. ; 6. Earth in boxes. We use 35 tons to each silo, or about 146 pounds to a square foot. 7. The four cost complete, $2,400—all above ground, painted. 8. Corn.: 9. We have tried two methods, viz, in drills 3 feet 10 inches apart, five to seven 30 SILOS AND ENSILAGE. grains to each foot. Our other method is similiar to the first, but we run the planter back between the two rows just planted, making the drills about 23 inches apart. We do not plow the ground until we are ready to follow with the harrow, and this. with the planter. As soon as planted we barrow the ground again to level track of planter, and when corn is high enough to see the rows, we again harrow. This is all the cultivation we give to what we call the ‘double drill,” and is applicable only to land free from weeds. The ‘‘single drill” we treat precisely the same to the har- rowing after corn is up, then keep the cultivator going until too large. We average: three cultivations. We are still in doubt which yields most. 10. When in bloom, and before the ear is fally developed. 11. In 1881 the highest yield was 58 tons from one acre, lowest 10; average about 123. The highest and lowest are by weight, from measfired ground. Our average was much above 124 tons upon all but 80 acres of poor sandy land. 12. We have used only the western dent. 14. Cut in field with reaper; loaded by 3 men upon flat hay-rack. At silo, cutter run by a 10-horse engine. 15. Requires 2 men to feed cutter. and one man and 2 lads in silo to keep it level. 16. The cost for I88L was 92 cents per ton, including preparation of ground, seed. cultivation, cutting in field, hauling, cutting af silo, placing the weight, putting up doors, fuel, and housing engine. 17. 4 months. 1k. Good, not one pound spoiled. 19. None whatever. 20, Not equal to good green pasture, but much better than any dry feed alone. 21. Increases quantity and quality of milk; improves the flavor of the butter. 23. We fed 40 pounds per day per head. 24. The midday feed was of cut dry corn-fodder, or cut millet-hay, with ground feed. Occasionally for trial we fed meal upon the ensilage, but abandoned it and fed ensilage: alone, and meal upon dry food, or cattle would not eat it. 25. Our herd of over 300 mileh cows was acknowledged by all the best conditioned! in the county, and in better flesh than when taken from pasture. 26. We believe it the most protitable feed for winter dairying. The dry fodder last year cost us $1.10 per ton (taking average as above to acre) in stook in the field; and it had to be hauled to barn and cut afterwards. -To put up prairie-hay cost us 7. cents per ton, and it alone will not make milk, neither will it keep cattle from losing: ereatly through the winter. We tried feeding ensilage exclusively tg one barn of 55. head; saw no ill effects, but used one feed per day of dry fodder became our supply was too small for exclusive feed to our herd. The above answers for the West Point Butter and Cheese Association of this place,, of which I am vice-president and manager. JOHN R. FARNUM, Waltham, Mass.: 2. Inasteep bank, at the end of barn, and a space left open nearly to the bottom for taking out the ensilage. 3. 35 x 16 x 22 feet deep. 4, Field-stone, pointed with cement, and plastered. 6. Stone, 24 feet deep. 7. Soil being blue gravel the digging was quite expensive, making whole cost about $550. 8. Corn and rowen—principally clover. 9, The ground was heavily manured, and planted with early potatoes, 4 feet apart. After the potatoes were hoed the second time, about the 25th of June, the corn was planted between the rows with a planter which distributes fertilizer at the some time. When the corn was 14 or 2 feet high, the potatoes were dug and the corn hoed. 10, When the tassels begin to dry, and the ears are a little past the milk. SILOS AND ENSILAGE. ails 11. The land I planted last year was very dry. It produced 16 to 17 tons per acre. 12. I planted 3 varieties last year; have planted the Southern White this year. 13. Not equal to the above. I had 14 acres sweet corn last year. 14. Cut from 3 to 2 inches. Used steam-power. 15. Leveled by 3 or 4 men, and trodden by a horse. 16.. The whole cost of raising the corn and putting in was $1.49 per ton. 17. 2 months. lx. The ensilage was bright, and the cattle ate it readily. 19. I could not see that there was any deterioration of the ensilage in the silo. After being taken out and laid on the barn floor it would heat, but the cattle ate it as readily as ever. 20. The best they can have, coming nearer to green fodder than anything else. 21. It produces milk of as good quality as any other food, and more of it. 22. Fully as good for dry stock, or horses and colts, as for milch cows. 23. From 55 to 75 pounds per day for cows, according to their size, and young stock in proportion. 24. I prefer to feed the stock one or two feeds of other food per day, but have had good results from feeding ensilage alone. 25. I fed 20 head yearlings and two-year-olds, nearly 3 months on ensilage and a quart of wheat bran per day for each animal. They came out in the spring better than any stock of the same age I ever wintered. 26. Ensilage can be produced ready for use for $2 per ton, and 3 tons are equal to a ton of English hay. The hay in our market is worth, on an average, $20 per ton, making the ensilage worth, on that basis, $6.67 per ton—a net profit of $4.67 per ton. Ensilage was sold in our market last year and year before for $6 and $8 per ton, and the purchaser considered it cheaper at those prices than anything else he could feed to his milch cows. N. 8S. Fisn, Groton, Conn.: 1, Adjoining feeding room. 3. 12x 13 x 14 feet deep. The ensilage was 8 feet deep after pressing. I have now carried the walls up, and it is 24 feet deep for use in 1822. 4. Below frame of barn, concrete, plastered with cement. Above the frame, hem- lock boards, 2 thicknesses, with paper between. The more perfectly the air is ex- cluded the better; but by pressing you obtain that, though the sides are not en- tirely tight. 5. Cut straw about’6 inches thick when loose, and boards 2 thicknesses, taking care to cover joints. 6. Stone, 18 inches deep; the more weight used the better, except the cost of put- ting on and taking off. 8. Corn. 9. Planted in rows, 2 grains in a place, about 18 inches apart. 10. My corn was right for roasting ears. The corn (grain) was quite acid when we used it, much more so than the stalks; shall put up this year before it is so far ad- vanced, 11. 20 tons estimated. 14. Cutter driven by 2-horse tread power 15. We filled in 2 days. If put in fast it is done with, but will settle much more if more time is used. If space is important, I think 2 or 3 feet per day fast enough. 16. Mine cost $1.50 per ton. The larger the silo the less cost per ton. 17. 10 weeks. 18. Very nice. 19. None, unless it was left for several days after being moyed. 20. Was much pleased with it. io 3) oa SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 21. No bad effects on milk or butter; better color than on dry feed. 22. It is good food for any neat stock ; have not used it for horses. Hogs will eat it well. Hens are fond of it. 23. 60 pounds per day for cows. 24. Hay or corn-fodder at noon. 25. My stock kept in fine condition while feeding, and when it was used up, about Apri] 1, they missed it, and milk decreased. Have no tests of gain or loss, but sudge from general appearances. 26. The cost of keeping animals is much reduced, compared with any former way of keeping. When you can feed well 2 cows 12 months from 1 acre, the profit is well established. C. H. Frissin, Killingly, Conn. : 1. Silo on one side of thrashing-floor, stock on the other. 3. 47x12x12 feet high; this is divided by a wall, making one 30 feet long, and one 15 feet. 4, Stone laid in mortar. 5. 2-inch pine plank, plowed and matched, in sections of 3 feet each. 6. Barrels of stone, 150 pounds to the square foot. 7. Entire cost, including cover, $300, 8. Sweet corn. 9, Drills 34 feet apart, cultivated with a horse hoe. 16. When in full blossom. 11. About 30 tons. 12 and 13. Filled the silo only once, and that with sweet corn ; do not think we shall use sweet corn again, although it worked well. Our ensilage was not as dry as some we saw of different kinds of corn. 14. 2-horse power and cutter. 15. 18 inches per day, trod well and wet as often as we saw any signs of heating [Perhaps this accounts for condition noted in 12 and 13.—Ed. ] 16. About 50 cents per ton. 17. 12 weeks. 18. Very much as when put in, excepting it was more juicy and had a slight smell of alcohol. 19. None whatever. 20. Our cows never looked so well. 21. Nearly doubled. 23. Forty pounds per day. 24. 5 pounds of bran to 50 of ensilage. 25. Improved in every respect by the ensilage. 26. We have very limited experience, but are entirely satisfied with it as a paying investment. C. W. GARRETT, Enfield, N. C.: My experience with ensilage has been of a general nature. I have made no special experiments, such as to weigh fodder produced onan acre, the best kind of corn, &c. I have used pea-vines chiefly, because in my first experience I found stock preferred them toany other material I had used, and they were easily and cheaply produced, With the system of ensilage, I am feeding my stock at much less cost and trouble than ever before; they do their work and keep in much better condition than when fed on hay and fodder. SILOS AND ENSILAGE. a0 WiLiiAM H. GILBERT, Richland, N. Y.: 1. My silos are built at end of barn and extend into side of hill. The bottom of silos are 1 foot below stable floor with doors extending from top of silo to level of stable floor. : 3. Each 36 x 16 x 19 feet deep. 4, Stone, 2 feet thick, plastered with water-lime. Bottom paved with stone and plastered, 5, 2-inch plank, plowed and matched. 6. Last season I used common field-stone, estimated at 30 tons on each silo. This season I intend to use barrels filled with sand, from 150 to 200 pounds to the square foot. 7. Not far from $800. Stone cost $2 per cord delivered; paid 50 cents a perch for mason work; $100 for labor on building; excavation $30 ; got sand for mortar out of silo pit. 8. Corn. 9. Planted with drill, 30 inches apart, and cultivated same as field-corn. 10. When the ears are large enough for roasting. 11. I think 20 tons per acre a good average, one season with another. 15. I hke the Southern corn best. It grows large and is sweet and juicy. 15. I place the cutter on wall, so that the feed falls directly into silo; cut 2 of an inch, and from $8 to 10 tons an hour; keep 2 men in silo to level and pack. 16. 35 to 40 cents per ton for cutting, drawing, and packing. 17. 3 months. 18. Good. 19, As good in April as in December. 20. 5 tons will keep a cow as long as 2 tons of the best hay. 21. 25 per cent. more milk than from hay. The butter was No. 1; flavor nearly as good as that made from grass. 2%. My horses and hogs eat ensilage greedily; did not feed enough to ascertain value. 23. 40 pounds or 2 bushels to each head per day. 24. I fed 2 pounds of bran night and morning, not with ensilage. 25. I never had stock do as well on any other feed; they gained in flesh and health. Never had cows do as well after calving. 26. I have put in 50.acres of corn for ensilage that has cost me, when ready for cul- tivating, $433.10, including $5 per acre for fertilizer and cost of seed, and 30 cents per hour for team; cost of cultivating will not exceed $30; should I have an average crop it will not cost more than $5 to winter a cow. Ithink with good management that a farm will keep 2 cows the year for every acre cultivated. I consider ensilage profitable. D. H. GOODELL, Antrim, N. H.: 1. 2 silos, side by side; doors open into feeding rooms. 3. Each 40 x 12 x 19 feet deep. 4, Stone walls, cemented. 6. Cobble stones, about 1 foot deep. 7. $1,000, for both silos. 8. Corn. 9. Planted with planter and cultivated with smoothing harrow. 10. When the ears are fully formed, just before the corn begins to glaze. 11. 30 tons per acre. 12. Southern White corn. 13. No better than any other. 14. Cut 2 inch long. 15. Put in about 30 inches in depth per day. 16. About 90 cents, but can do it for 75 cents. 3 SIL 34 SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 17. 6 weeks. ik. Excellent. 19. None at all. 20 and 21. My cows produced more than 20 per cent. more milk on ensilage than on best hay. Quality of milk as good as on any other feed. 22. For fattening oxen it proved the best feed, in connection with corn and cotton- seed meal, I ever used. 23. Cows in milk ate 60 pounds per day, with 2 to 4 quarts of meal. 24. With other food. 25. Young cattle fed chiefly on ensilage, with a small quantity of poor hay, no meal; were fit for the butcher in spring. 26. Exceedingly profitable, all things considered. J. P. Goopatyi, Peabody, Mass. : 1. My silo is located at the northwest corner of, and opens into, the barn. Half the depth is below the barn floor. 3.240 x 15 x 18 feet deep. 4. Stone, faced with cement. 5. Planks, crosswise. 6. Stone on the planks. 7. About $500. s. Corn principally. 10. When the corn is beginning to grow on the ear. 11. About 30 tons to the acre, on the average. 12. The best kind of corn for ensilage is the largest. 14. A 7 to 10-horse-power engine and cutter. 15. The fodder should be well trodden, as you fill, by man or horse. 16. From 50 cents to $1 per ton, according to the distance to haul it. 17. 24 to 3 nonths. 19. None. 20. 3 tons of ensilage as good as 1 ton of good hay. 21. Good milk and good butter. 22. Good for any stock. 23. 60 pounds per day for a milch cow. 24. About 30 pounds morning and night with grain thrown on it. 25. Better than on hay. They look sleek, drink less, and are happy. JACOB GREEN, JVappingers Falls, N. ¥.: 1. 8 feet from cow-stable at end of the barn, which forms one side of silo. Is on side-hill, the top level with the roadway. 3. 30 x 20 x 20 feet deep, divided by a partition. : 4. The walls are 13 feet high and 3 feet thick, of limestone laid dry and faced with cement; above this it is of matched boards. The partition is also of matched boards, double and filled with earth. 5. 14-inch plank. 6. 14 or 2 feet of stone. 7. $600, exclusive of farm labor. 8. Corn. 12. Dutchess County White. 14. Cutter run by a &-horse-power engine; cut $-inch length, fast as 2 men could handle the fodder. 15. 2 boys leveled it in silo. 17. 1 month. SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 35 18. Was hot and smelled like a brewery. 19. Last was good as the first. 20. Cattle were very fond of it. 21. The milk was superior to any I ever tasted. 22. Young calves ate it readily, but also had milk until 6 weeks old; then only had ensilage with a few oats; they grew and looked well. 23. 1 bushel of ensilage twice a day for cows. 24. Small quautity of hay at noon with meal. 25. All seem to be correct. 26. So far, with 1 year’s trial, ensilage is a perfect success, and equals all our ex- pectations. N. GripLey & SON, Wassaic, N. Y.: 1. Cows are stabled in basement of barn, and door opens from the middle of back side (bank side) into the silo. Floor of silo about three feet lower than floor of stable. 3. o2 X 12 x 10 feet deep. 4, Concrete, 14 to 16 inches thick. Posts set in the ground and lined with 2-inch plank, put in as wall is built. Any kind of stone used. One part cement to 5 parts sand, mixed while dry, then wet so that it will pour from the pails in whieh it is carried. After the posts and planks are taken down the walls are plastered with cement, made with less sand. Bottom covered about 2 inches with gravel. 5. Plank. 6. 12 to 15 inches of stone. 7. $200, including light frame building over it. 8. Corn. 10. Cut when ‘‘nubbins” are formed. 11. Estimated at 10 10 15 tons. 12. Any kind that produces a large growth. 15. Set the cutter over the silo, and drew the corn alongside, cut about $ of an inch long, and packed by pony and boys. 16. 75 cents per ton. 17. 3 months. 1s. Changed color somewhat; a sight odor, 19. None. 20. They like it, and do well on it. 21. The milk is reduced at condensing factory without complaint. 22. They all eat it. 24. Both. 25. Good, 26. We are now building one that will hold more than 400 tons. Milk is the import- ant product in this region. The “limit” formerly was the amount of hay that a farm could produce. Any farm can grow from 5 to 10 times as much green corn-fodder as it can of hay. With the silo the ‘‘Jimit ” is not the hay but the ensilage. The value is caused by the increased product of food per acre. L. A. GUERBER, Monsey, N. Y.: 1. We cannot speak of elaborate constructions or well-digested plans, having simply dug a cellar under a part of our barn, with stone walls on three sides, and the earth held up by boards on the fourth side. The floor is earth. 3. To be convenient, a silo should be Jong and narrow with an opening in the nar- row side on a level with the floor. The exposed surface, while consuming the con- tents of a silo, should he as small as possible. The opening should be directly accessi- ble from the stable. Silos 8 or 10 feet wide, and long and deep in proportion to the requirements, would be the most convenient and serviceable. 3 op) SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 5. We covered ours with clean straw about 6 inches, then common hemlock boards. 6. Stones 1 foot deep. This weight was amply sufficient for 8 feet of ensilage. 8. Corn mainly. We have found that straw (rye, wheat, or oats) could be advan- tageously mixed with green corn in the proportion of + of straw to } of corn. The straw willabsorb a part of the juice of the corn, and becomes equally palatable. There isno doubt that clover, rye, and probably bog and salt-meadow grass will prove great resources for the farmer if properly ensiloed. We have experimented satisfactorily with clover and rye. 9. In rows 3 feet apart and the stalks 6 to 8 inches from one another in the rows. 10, As soon as tasseled. 11. We have had fine crops of corn, planted as above stated, the yield of which has not exceeded 20 tons per acre. This weight is reduced fully one-third after 3 months in the silo. A safe estimate would be an average of 8 to 10 tons of ensilage from an acre of good, well cultivated land. 12. Corn of rank and quick growth is the best. 13. The giant varieties of sweet corn we esteem preferable to common corn, as grow- ing more quickly and giving stalks more juicy and of softer texture, 14. Our machine cuts the corn } of an inch long, and crushes the stalks so every part is eaten. 16. The cost of cutting the corn green, carting it to the silo, and preparing suitably, we have found not to exceed the cost of cutting and curing in the ordinary way. 17. 3 to 5 months. 18. From 1 to 3 inches at the top is all the Joss we have experienced. 21. Cows give as good milk on ensilage as they do in grass, and the butter has the same color. 23. A cubic foot is sufficient for one cow. 24. We have never fed it exclusively. Animals require a variety of food to keep in appetite and good health. 26. There is great economy in the system; how much we are not prepared to state. The exaggerated accounts published are very prejudicial. With the primitive arrange- ments described, our suecess has been so fair that we cannot hesitate to recommend even the poorest of our farmers to use silos; to build them as best they can. x 10 inches, running horizontally; the lower six being 12 inches from center to cen- ter; then increasing in space 1 inch until the top is reached, There isa row of doors, one for each division between the timbers. 5. 6. 8. oh 10. 12. 13. 14, Boards, 1 inch thick. Sand; 500 pounds to square yard. Corn and millet. Corn planted in drills; millet broadcast. When the ear is in the milk. Sweet corn. One-third more valuable. Cut into three-inch lengths at top of silo, with gang of saws running up and down; saws 3 feet long, gang 12 feet wide. The fodder is drawn from the field and discharged upon an endless apron, the movement of which carries it through the saws. 16, 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 24. b= woe 26. Estimated at 56 cents per ton. Eight weeks. Good. None. Nothing superior to it. Good. 60 pounds per day. Mixed with grain. Improved condition in every respect. Most economical method of storing heavy crops; it insures safety. WILLIAM W. WHITE, Canaseraga, N. Y.: il 4 6. 7 8 Silo in and under barn. . Stone and cement. Stone, 1 foot to 18 inches in depth. . Cost of a cellar with roof. . Corn. Drill and cultivate, 28-inch rows. . In flower. . 10 tons—possibly 15 tons. . Southern White. . 30 to 50 cents. . Three months. . Perfect; slightly acid. . None. . Good as June pasture. . Adds one-third or more. . Equal to grass. 68 SILOS AND ENSILAGE. 23. 30 to 100 pounds per day. 24. Both ways. 25. Improve in both. 26. Doubles the value of food over drying. J. A. WoLLMER, Turner, Me.: 1. In the barn about 10 feet from the stalls of the cattle. 3. 13 x 12 x 8 feet high. 4. Hemlock boards, double walls, space between filled with sawdust. 5. 2 inch plank. 6. Stone, 100 pounds to the square foot. 7. $30. 8. Corn. 11. 12 tons per acre. 15. The cut fodder was simply run into the silo from the cutter, leveled, and the cover laid on, and weighted. It was not trodden. 16. The entire cost of the fodder was $2.75 per ton. The cost of cutting, hauling to the barn, and filling the silo, was 83 cents per ton. 17. 54 days. 18. Fermented just enough to make it very agreeable to the cattle. A little around the outside was spoiled. 19. No deterioration. 20. There was a gain in the quantity of milk. 23. Part of the time we fed one bushel per day, and part of the time two bushels per day to each cow. 24, While we were feeding one bushel of ensilage each, per day, we gave them one feed of hay or straw ; when we fed two bushels per day, we fed on ensilage and shorts. 25. The stock fed on ensilage gained in weight, and were in good health, 26. I think it is much more profitable than hay. E. WriGuHT, Pleasant Mills, N. J.: 1. Two silos near feeding alley, and connected by rail tracks. 3. Each 12 x 40 x 16 feet deep, 8 feet in the ground and 8 feet out. 4. Stone, 18 inches thick, laid in cement at bottom and lime-mortar higher up; par- tition wall 20 inches thick. 6. Cement barrels filled with sand, as many as can lay side by side. 7. Cost of two silos $400, besides the wood-work. 8. Corn. 9. Drills, 3 feet apart with a common grain drill. 10. When in full tassel and silk, with ears well set. If allowed to turn yellow air takes the place of sap and the crop is injured in the silo. 11. The first year 15 tons per acre; the second, because of drought, 10 tons in light, sandy soil and poor condition. I believe 20 tons can be averaged. 12. Have planted ihe Jersey seed and southern whites; latter I think may be best, but am not sure. 14,15. As fine as I can, three-eighths to five-eighths inch; machine run by steam- engine; average 10 tons per hour. 16. 35 cents per ton last year; the year before was much more, probably by delays and breakages, reaching $2 or more. 17. If I required the stuff for feed I should open as soon as well settled, say two or three weeks, though I have never opened under two months. 18. Sour, apparently a vinegary acid. I think this is not right, and may be avoided by putting in when in full sap with no yellow stalks or leaves, putting in quickly and weighting heavily 200 to 400 pounds per square foot. SILOS AND ENSILAGE 69 19. I do not think it deteriorates after it is opened. Have never seen any opened in warm weather, but am fixing for it. 20 to 25. Of my first year’s ensilage I fed milch cows without mixing with other food, and concluded that its tendency was to dry them up. This year I mixed one quart of meal with each feed of 20 or 30 pounds twice a day, and once with dry hay. Onsuch feeding the cows grew fat and gained slightly in milk. 26. If any profit at general farming can be extorted from the poor sandy soils of South Jersey, it can only be done by feeding cattle on ensilage. J. C. WuiTin, Whitinsville, Mass. : 1. Convenient. 3. 44 feet long, 22 deep, 17 wide. Have two silos. 4. Built into a bank; 18-inch walls of flat stones, laid in cement; drain under the bottom of wall, constructed in most perfect manner with best masonry work. 5.°Two-inch chestnut plank, laid crosswise, pointed so as to fit closely. 6 Stones, convenient to handle, weighing from 80 to 100 pounds apiece; not less than 200 pounds to square foot. 8. Corn and rye. Would not use rye again. 9. Sweet corn planted in rows with planter, 33 feet apart, 5 kernels to the foot. When 3 inches high go over it lengthwise with smoothing harrow—do that frequently, as long as you can without breaking it over—then use the common cultivator between the rows as long as practicable. 10. When the ear is half grown. 11. About 20 tons. 12. Sanford’s, or Stowell’s Evergreen. 13. Consider it better than any field variety. 14. Cut three-fourths of an inch long. 15. We cut at the upper door, at top of silec. Men level and trample it. 16. Think it may be done for $1 per ton. 17. About 2 months. 18. Perfectly good condition, except on top. 19. Not any. About 3 inches on top next the planks is moldy, below it is not af- fected. We always commence to cut on one end, and never remove the weights faster than we cut. 20. One-third of a ton of ensilage is equal to a ton of best English hay. 21. Think milk and butter are improved by the feed, both in quantity and quality. 22. Should use it mostly for ruminant animals; good for fattening. 23. 40 pounds on an average; fed twice a day, 20 pounds at a time. 24. Have never fed it alone. Put two quarts of some kind of meal with the ensilage each time it is fed, and give two or three pounds of hay to each animal just after the €nsilage. At night we give middlings, or roots and hay. 25. Always a gain and good health. 26. Consider it profitable for every one who keeps cows. CHARLES B. BALLARD, White River Junction, Vt.: 1. Silo parallel with cow barn. 2, 3. 20 x 64 x 26 feet deep. 4. Stone and cement; the floor of stone, each 4 x 6 feet, and laid in cement. . Planks, with cobble stone about one foot in thickness. . About two thousand dollars. . Virginia corn. . Planted with a one-horse planter and fertilizer. Harrowed when the corn was about one inch high. After that cultivated it three times, about once in ten days. oon or 12. 20. 21. 22. 23. head. 24. 25. 26. SILOS AND ENSILAGE. . About the time it begins to silk out. . About 20 tons per acre. Maryland and Virginia corn. . No earthly comparison. 15. Cut up about one-fourth of inch, carried into silos by stationary engine. . $1 per ton. . About thirty days. . Perfect, and will never change. . None. bs $5 per ton. Increases quantity and quality. $4 per ton. Effects are good. Seventy pounds per day, with two quarts of cotton-seed meal, or corn meal, per Feed alone. Condition good, with perfect health. Worth much more than hay or any other dry feed. c ~N LIBRARY OF C HAAN O00e7bb1L4o03