» i ie 3 5 =f z ° e B ¢0.80 ce NICHT 7 MILLS, THE BOOK OF ENSILAGE; NEW DISPENSATION FOR FARMERS. EXPERIENCE WITH “' ENSILAGE” AT “WINNING FARM.” HOW TO PRODUCE MILK FOR ONE CENT PER QUART; BUTTER FOR TEN CENTS PER POUND; BEEF FOR FOUR CENTS PER POUND; MUTTON FOR NOTHING IF WOOL IS THIRTY CENTS PER POUND. vo By JOHN M. BAILEY, PROPRIETOR OF “‘ WINNING FARM,” BILLERICA, MASSACHUSETTS, AND VIRGINIA STOCK Farm, Sussex County, VIRGINIA. f ‘ FARMERS’ EDITION. “‘T beg to express my gratitude to you for the noble efforts you are making in behalf of the cause of agricultural science. Ensilage is to prove a great blessing to the world. . . . I am very glad that you have given us the results of your experience in so neat a volume, and in so clear a manner, that Ze who runs may read.’ —MARSHALL P. WILDER. “A work of incalculable importance to American farmers.” — LEv1 STOCKBRIDGE, President Massachusetts Agricultural College. “Your ‘ Book of Ensilage’ is received and read through. You seem to have covered the whole subject and lapped around it, — Alpha and Omega. It will be greedily read.” — J. B. Brown, 7vans- lator of M. Goffart’s “ Ensilage of Maize.” NEW YORK: ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, 245 BROADWAY. 1881. + ‘Jaa he f' ‘) De amit Al ote wes? SSW gs!) Fie ea, fe bie age ie ete yr tie EU Lee Ciacus ROS ire ae ec = } .- iS é 2 Pa LN - te RF a ; j 2] Ce Fonte wes ae 7 =e 5 j % 320) U , 2 \ af & Need % age, x fF ; RA pM ‘ E gi a Ga eee a ; ae hy et thos te > wide ae 2 ( ; i AERA acts eRe Bee INTRODUCTION TO NEW EDITION. WHEN, in the winter of 1879-80, I took the liberty of dedi- cating the first edition of the “Book of Ensilage” to the ‘“‘farmers of America,” the system of ensilage, so far as related to its adaptation to America and to American wants and methods, was in that state of uncertainty that no one could be found who dared to thoroughly try it, partly on account of the expense involved, and perhaps more through an unwilling- ness to run the risk of failure, and consequently be compelled to bear the ridicule of those who stand ready, whenever a pro- gressive man takes a step in advance of the old methods, —in hopes that something better may be found which shall serve to elevate humanity, or lessen the toils and improve the condition of his fellow-man, — to say, until complete success silences them, “T told you so.” Could these doubters, these dispensers of ridicule, always have had their own way, and prevented pro- gressive men from ¢rying, every farmer would to this day have carried his grist to mill slung across his horse’s back, with a stone in one end of the bag to balance the weight of the corn in the other. The success of my experiments was, however, so complete, the results were so startling, but so conclusive, that thousands of the most intelligent and progressive farmers and business- men with a taste for agriculture, came to “Winning Farm,” and examined the practical workings of the system of ensilage for themselves. So convincing was the exhibition of what they saw, that I can truly say that there is to-day, not a State in the Union which has not a silo constructed in all material points after the “Winning Silos.” Nebraska—one of the last we 3 4 INTRODUCTION TO NEW EDITION. would suppose to economize forage — can boast of having the largest silos in America, if not in the world. Dr. Eager of Middletown, Orange County, N.Y., visited “ Winning Farm” early in the winter of 1879-80, and has constructed at West Point, Neb., four silos, each 60 feet long, 20 feet deep, and 16 feet wide, — capacity about 2,000 tons. California has its silos, as have Florida and Texas. In New England and the Middle States, hundreds have been built. At this date (Dec. 1, 1880) I am in receipt of many letters daily, announcing the openings of silos. 2 every case the success 1s absolute. Hundreds of suc- cessful experiments in 1880 from the one seed sown by me in 1879! No more doubting. Every farmer is considering how he shall build, and where he shall locate, his silos. I do not claim the credit of originating the system of ensilage. No man can claim that; for it is older than the Christian era. We are all under great obligations to M. Auguste Goffart, a dis- tinguished member of the ‘‘Central Agricultural Society of France,” and “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur,” who spent years in patient experimentation before success crowned his efforts. I have carefully tested it, and by my success have made “Silo” and “ Ensilage”’ household words in every part of the land. One of the earliest Latin writers speaks of subter- ranean vaults (silos), wherein the ancient Romans used to pre- serve fruits, grain, and forage in its green state, in very much the same manner as is practised at this time by Mr. O. B. Potter of Sing Sing, N.Y. The Mexicans have practised the same pro- cess for centuries, and to this day preserve the bulk of their forage in the same manner. Probably the idea was carried to Mexico by some learned Spanish monk or priest of a practical and agricultural turn of mind, who, filled with a religious zeal, accompanied the Spanish adventurers in their crusades, which resulted in the subjugation of Mexico, and nearly all the American continent south of it. If the system was thus introduced into America, whether he was successful or not in teaching the heathen how to save their souls, he certainly taught them how to save their forage. Upon the discovery of America, the Indians in the southern part of our country preserved their stores of maize in pits in i o ; INTRODUCTION TO NEW EDITION. 5 the ground. As the earth is the common mother of us all, so is she the great preserver of all things. The first idea which occurred to the primitive man when he wished to preserve any thing valuable or which he prized was, without doubt, to bury it in the earth. So that, after all, the system of ensilage is not so much a new dispensation as one of the “lost arts,’ which, after the lapse of centuries, has just been re-discovered, improved, adapted to the requirements of modern civilization, and which is destined to be the means of producing a revolution in our | agricultural methods. Allow me, in this introduction to this NEW EDITION, to express my cordial thanks and appreciation of the by far too-flattering notices which “The Book of Ensi- lage” has received from the press. Editors and reviewers have, with scarce an exception, spoken only to commend, touching but lightly, if at all, upon the faults of style and diction, which are many, realizing that it was a book written by a working farmer in order that that which was hard and perplexing for him to accomplish, with none to advise or in- struct, might be made plain and easy to his fellow-farmers. Also to the many gentlemen, eminent in all the walks of life, for the kind and grateful letters in which they have shown their gy. appreciation of my humble efforts to improve the condition a the farmers of America, upon whose prosperity depends no only the well-being of all other classes, but the very stability and permanence of our democratic institutions. I am grateful also for the success, I see by accounts in the papers, which has attended the efforts of so large a number of those, who, in the early stages of their experiment, solicited and received all the help my experience could render. The possibili- ties of ensilage can hardly be over-estimated. When I said in my first edition that 40 to 75 tons of green-corn fodder could be raised upon an acre of land, provided proper seed was used, suff - cient manure was applied, and the right kind of cultivation be- stowed, many doubted, and some ridiculed the statement; “ but he laughs best who laughs last ;” and I am happy to be able to state that one of my neighbors has raised corn-fodder this year weighing at ‘the rate of 72 tons to the acre, and that his whole 6 INTRODUCTION TO NEW EDITION. crop averaged over 50 tons to the acre. Some of the stalks were 19 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed 12 pounds each. I have not done as well; but it should be borne in mind that I am experimenting upon an old, run-down farm, which, in 1877, could keep but 6 cows and one horse. I have now in my barn (Dec. 1, 1880) sufficient hay to keep 6 horses, and forage in my silos ample for the sustenance of 4o head of horned cattle, nearly 200 sheep, and 60 swine. I may state also, that, during the past three years, I] have bought no hay or manure. This much ensilage has benefited me; and there is no reason why it should not benefit every farmer in like manner. That it may - do so, is the earnest wish of my heart. AHN RACERS Seth ; ARR \ CONTENTS. GERIAP TER ai: DISADVANTAGES OF THE SYSTEM OF CURING FORAGE BY DESICCATION CHAPTER II. DESCRIPTION OF THE “ WINNING-FARM” SILosS . - - . . CHAPTER OL: FILLING THE SILO : : : é ; CHAPTER -0V- OPENING OF THE SILO : : é = 5 = ~ = 5 GHAR GR sve Cost oF KEEPING STOCK UPON ENSILAGE . : é = “ 5 CHAPTER VI. TIME WHEN FoRAGE PLANTS CONTAIN THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF NU- TRITIVE VALUE CHAPTER VII. ANALYSIS AND COMPOSITION OF CORN WHEN CUT IN ITS GREEN STATE s CHAPTER VIII. HXEGANATIONS: WHY-ENSILAGE MUST KEEP, . |. 45. .« « « CEHAPARE RS) exe ENSILAGE ADAPTED TO WARM AS WELL AS COLD CLIMATES < > = CHAPTER X. A NEw DIscovery ‘ 3 : : ; CHAPTER Xi. FooD INGREDIENTS.— CHEMICAL TERMS EXPLAINED . “ 5 > 5 CHAPTER XII. CAPACITY OF SILOS 5 3 3 : CHAPTER Xatl- ENSILAGE IN THE GREAT DAIRY DISTRICTS . : i 5 = : CHAPTER XIV. History oF MaizE, oR INDIAN CoRN . : A - 3 “ - . II 16 24 28 34 39 42 54 59 66 71 74 77 8 CONTENTS. THE IDLENOT PAPERS. CHAPTER XV. Cost OF PRODUCING MILK ONE CENT A QuaRT, OF BUTTER TEN CENTS PER POUND, AND OF PORK THREE CENTS PER POUND, BEEF FOR Four CENTS A POUND, AND MUTTON FOR NOTHING, IF WooL Is THIRTY CENTS A POUND 6 ; é : : . i A oe CHAPTER XVI. SECOND IDLENOT PAPER «09 30 6) 8) 0 se a CHAPTER XVII. . ANALYSIS OF ENSILAGE FROM THE “ WINNING-FARM” SILOS . . . 97 CHAPTER XVIII. How TO PRESERVE GREEN CORN FOR THE TABLE ‘ 3 % i - I00 CHAPTER XIX. My EXPERIENCE WITH SUGAR-BEETS.—CosT OF RAISING ONE-FOURTH OF AN ACRE, AND THE YIELD c 6 4 : : : : - Io1 CHAPTER XxX. SUMMARY . 3 2 c : A . - 104 CHAPTER 2exa, EFFECT OF ALCOHOLIC FERMENTATION IN ENSILAGE UPON “GILT-EDGED BUTTER” . bs . 5 5 5 5 5 ‘ ‘ ° Z 2. 106 CHAPTER XXII. MopEL DAIRY STABLE ADAPTED TO THE SYSTEM OF ENSILAGE . : Aaponiiy CISA Ia OSD. CONCLUSION OF THE BooK OF ENSILAGE : < ° a C : + oHEO CHAPTER XXIV. LATEST RESULTS IN PRESERVING AND FEEDING ENSILAGE . $ ee CHAPTER XXV. FATTENING STEERS, FEEDING SWINE, METHOD OF FEEDING, WARM WATER FOR STOCK, Etc. . 0 : : 2 5 4 - 5 6 ae 125 CHAPTER XXVI. ILLUSTRATING THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF ENSILAGE . 6 ° : | 6033 CHAPTER XXVII. CHEMISTRY. OF ‘THE’SILO 5. 80 6 suai eae CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVIII. How To RAISE THE MAXIMUM CROP OF FODDER CORN . ' > - 138 CHAPTER XXIX. New ForaGE PLANTS AND NEW USES FOR ENSILAGE. . ° ° - 139 WHAT IS A SILO, AND WHAT IS ENSILAGE ? This is what the farmers want to know when the “ Vew b Dispensation, or system of Exszlage,’ is presented to their attention. A SILo is a cistern or vat, air and water tight on the bottom and sides, with an open top, constructed of masonry or concrete. It may be square, rectangular, round or oval in shape, with per- pendicular sides, used to store in their green state forage-crops, such as corn, sorgho, rye, oats, millet, Hungarian grass, clover, and all the grasses. This forage is cut and taken directly from the field, run through a cutter which cuts it into pieces less than half an inch in length, and trampled down solidly in the Sito, and subjected to heavy and continuous pressure. The structure is the Sito, which may be above ground, or partly or entirely below the surface of the ground. The fodder preserved in SILOS is ENSILAGE. ¥ 10 Tie BOCK OF -ENSILAGE: ACCOUNT OF THE “WINNING-FARM” SILOS. Cri rEne a: DISADVANTAGES OF THE SYSTEM OF CURING FORAGE BY DESICCATION. THE great obstacle to raising stock at a profit has always been the high cost of all kinds of fodder for winter feeding. Especially has this been the case in the eastern part of the New England and Middle States. The lowest cost at which a cow can be kept in Eastern Massachusetts is twenty-two cents per day for feed, allow- ing nothing for care except the manure. This makes the yearly cost of keeping a cow to be at least $80.30. Many of my fellow farmers who raise milk inform me that it costs them twenty-six cents per day, which raises the cost to $94.90 per year. To meet the lowest sum $80.30, at the highest price at which milk has been sold in Eastern Massachusetts during the past few years, viz., twenty-five cents per can of 8} quarts, each cow would have to yield 321% cans, or 2,730 quarts, — about 5,500 pounds. “It goes without saying,” that there is not one herd of cows in fifty which averages 5,000 pounds of milk per ” Ir 12 THE BOOK OF ENSILAGE. head yearly. While this is so, that ninety-eight per cent of the cows yield less value in milk than it costs to feed them, still as a choice of evils farmers are obliged to keep them rather than sell the provender they consume, though it would bring more money than the milk. By gratuitously incorporating a large amount of labor into the milk, they are enabled to keep up the fertility of their farms, while on the other hand were they to sell their forage they would soon impoverish their land. Paradoxical as it may seem, the only way the majority of farmers near our large cities can make (?) any money is, and has been, to sell milk at less than it cost to pro- duce it! This is a very unsatisfactory condition of affairs. For several years I have been anxiously looking for science to show us — agricultural laymen — the way out of the wilderness into the promised land, where crops could be grown at a profit wzthout the farmer's labor being thrown in as straw —guantum sufficit — is when figuring up the cost of wintering stock in the West. Analyses of the soil at one time promised to bring about a great change in agriculture, by showing us just what the soil lacked to produce bountiful crops of what- ever we wish to raise. This proved. an zgnzs fatuus,— for nearly all soils were found to contain when chemically analyzed every thing required to produce scores of bountiful crops of almost every thing. The trouble was, that while the elements of fertility were there chemically, they were not there in such a form as the growing plant could avail itself of. The next great panacea was to analyze the crop which it was proposed to raisg, and apply to the soil the various elements found in the crop, principally nitrogen, phos- DISADVANTAGES OF CURING BY DESICCATION. 13 phoric acid, and potash. The trouble with this is, that no one can tell except by a series of careful experiments whether one, two, or all three of these elements must be applied to the land in order to raise a satisfactory crop. Having ascertained that a certain crop can be raised upon a certain piece of land by applying one, two, or all three of the above-named elements of fertility ; another set of equally careful experiments must be tried when- ever a different crop is attempted upon the same land, or the same crop upon another piece of land. This necessitates the farmers’ trying all these experi- ments upon their own land; which is out of the question, for while they might, they certainly will not do it. Therefore commercial fertilizers will perforce have to be applied in the future as in the past, mostly at random. I do not wish to be understood as saying that com- mercial fertilizers are not valuable and useful in their place ; which place is ot to take the place of barn-cellar manure, but as an economical adjunct to it in the hill and drill. The chief objection to depending zz the main upon them is, that in the majority of cases the fertilizer costs more than the crop will bring. No great agricultural prosperity can come through the increased use of commercial fertilizers, except as aids to barnyard manure. Experiments in England have demonstrated that the crop does not increase in proportion to the amount of fertilizers applied, even when the most consummate skill directs the operations. While agriculture has not been benefited to the extent hoped for by the processes mentioned above, there was one man who was patiently experimenting, and endeavor- ing to solve the problem in an entirely different way. 14 THE BOOK OF ENSILAGE. It has long been apparent to every observer, that there is an immense loss sustained in the manner in which all forage-crops have been cured from time im- memorial, viz., by desiccation or drying. While it is agreed by all that-a larger proportion of all vegetable growth comes from the atmosphere than from the soil, it does not appear to have struck scientific. agriculturists that during the process of curing by drying, a very large proportion of the most valuable elements of nutri- tion are returned to the atmosphere from whence they came. ‘The cow which gives us in summer while feeding on green grass such excellent milk, and butter of such agreeable color and flavor, furnishes us in the winter, — —when she eats the same grass converted into hay, — an inferior quality of milk, and pale, insipid butter. What modifications has this grass undergone in changing into hay? These modifications are numerous. It is sufficient to cross a meadow when the new-mown, grass is undergoing desiccation, to recognize that it is losing an enormous quantity of its substance that exhales in the air in agreeable odors, but which, if retained in the plant, would serve at least as condiments favoring diges- tion and assimilation. All stock-raisers know how rap- idly young stock increases in weight in summer upon green pastures, and also that the same amount of grass converted into hay and judiciously fed in winter does not always prevent them from shrinking, and seldom gives any increase. “The loss by desiccation in fine weather under the best conditions, added to that caused by the physical modifications which render mastication and digestion of the hay more difficult than of the grass, and conse- quently assimilation less complete, merits the most seri- DISADVANTAGES OF CURING BY DESICCATION. 15 ous attention on the part of those who are interested in agricultural affairs. “Rains, and even dews, add immensely to the dete- rioration inseparable to a process of curing by dessica- tion. What agriculturist has not seen a hundred times his hay, notwithstanding the utmost care, injured by rain, deprived of its richest and most assimilative elements ? If these things occur to the common fodder-crops, — timothy, orchard-grass, clover, &c.,— what would (or rather, what does) happen when the saving of fodder- crops of high growth and great yield, such as maize and sorgho, or even Hungarian grass or millet, is attempted by desiccation? never in our temperate climate could we obtain for these a sufficient desiccation by the sun” when raised on a large scale. I have seen a neighboring farmer working nearly three weeks to cure about an acre of millet, and then it was véry imperfectly preserved. M. Aguste Goffart, whom not only all agriculturists, _ but the whole world ought to honor as it has no other man, commenced his experiments in preserving fodder by other means than drying, nearly or quite thirty years ago. It isreasonable to suppose that he met with fail- ure after failure; but not discouraged he persevered: and during the last four years has so improved upon his earlier methods, that the preservation of any and all green crops, with all their valuable attributes unimpaired, is no longer an experiment. I will not take space to describe M. Goffart’s Silos and methods; but would recommend all those who wish to investigate the French system to send to J. B. Brown, E'sq., No. 55 Beekman Street, New York (the trans- lator of M. Goffart’s treatise) for a copy of ‘“ Ensilage of Maize,” and study it. CHAPTER IL DESCRIPTION OF THE ‘“‘ WINNING-FARM”’’ SILOS. I wairep long in hopes that one of our agricultural colleges or experimental stations would take the initia- tive. The following letters convinced me that there was no use in waiting for more half-way experiments to be tried, where “half of the fodder went to waste,” and the bal- ance was so imperfectly preserved that it was “‘ very diffi- cult to remove the peculiar and very disagreeable smell from the hands after touching it :” — New York, July 26, 1870. JoHN M. BatLey, Esa. Dear Sir, — . . . Can you not effect a combination, and build a Silo of masonry, and make a business of it this fall? I have not yet heard of any one who is going to do it thoroughly. . . . I speak of combination, as all seem to be afraid to do it right on account of the expense. I don’t think any thing but masonry is sure, and that is. . . . I have urged all the enterprising and competent farmers I am acquainted with to be the first to do it on Goffart’s plan, but I have not succeeded as far as I now know. Yours truly, J. B. Brown. If any thing was necessary to convince me that I must depend upon myself, this letter was enough. Mr. Brown knew of Mr. Francis Morris’s experiments and their un- satisfactory results; hence his anxiety that I should test 16 DESCRIPTION OF THE “WINNING-FARM” SILOS. 1 9/ the system in a thorough manner: therefore I resolved to brave the danger of being “ laughed at;” and as no one could be induced to try the great experiment, and that the public should not lose the benefit of a system of such vast importance to the welfare of our nation, and fearing also that the grand discovery of M. Goffart’s might fall into disrepute in consequence of not being tried in a thorough and scientific manner, I decided to make the experiment. For several years I have been trying to find the way to raise profitable crops, or to turn them to profitable account when raised. I eagerly scanned every item which appeared in the public press bearing upon the process of preserving forage-crops in their green state. All the plans seemed to give but imperfect results: nevertheless, there seemed to be value in the zdea. It was therefore with pleasure I saw a notice of Mr. Brown’s translation of M. Goffart’s work upon “ Ensi- lage.” I sent for it. Upon a careful perusal of the work, and some little discussion in the columns of “ The Country Gentleman” with Mr. Brown upon some parts of it, I became satisfied that the principle was right, that M. Goffart’s method —with such modifications as cli- matic differences demand — faithfully carried out, would bring success. | Having resolved to try the experiment thoroughly, on the seventeenth day of July, 1879, I broke ground, selecting a side hill, and locating the Silos so that the corner joined the north-east corner of my barn: I ex- cavated on the west side and south end seven feet deep, _and put in a solid stone wall on the west side, 44 feet long and 12 feet high. This was built of very heavy stone and in the most substantial manner. I afterwards graded up on this side to the top of the 18 THE BOOK OF FNSILAGE. wall, making a level spot to set an engine and Ensilage cutter upon; also to drive upon to deposit the corn fod- der as it came from the fields on dump-carts. It took 13 days’ work of a stone-mason, 43% days’ work of laborers, and 284 days’ work for one horse, to excavate and build the stone wall and foundations for the Silos. On the tenth day of August I commenced building the Silo walls. These are 15 inches thick, built of con- crete in the following manner. First, 3X 4 joists are set up at each of the angles, and also at intervals of about eight feet on each side of the walls. These scantling are placed 18 inches apart, spruce plank 12 inches wide and 14 inches thick are set up on the inside of the scantling, which leaves 15 inches between the planks as the thickness of the walls. We are now ready to commence building the Silo walls. The concrete is made by mixing one barrel of BZ. a o CL’ @a.—3 4 inch scantling, to hold 14 inch plank while building wall. 6 6. — Doors. DESCRIPTION OF THE “WINNING-FARM” SILOS. 19 Newark, Rosendale, or Akron cement, with three bar- rels of plastering sand and four barrels of clean gravel. This is thoroughly mixed together while dry. It is then wet and thoroughly mixed again, making a very thin mortar. About three inches in depth of this mixture is put in between the planks; then stone of all sizes and shapes are packed and bedded in this layer of concrete, after which another layer of concrete is poured in on top of this layer of stones, and the operation is repeated until the space between the planks all round each Silo is filled ; then the planks are raised about ten inches, and the space filled with concrete and stones as before until the walls are at the desired height. The best way is to have a sufficient number of hands to just raise the wall the width of the plank each day. Time was pressing with me, however; and I sometimes raised the plank two and three times in one day, the concrete | SEtIN 7S0 that I was able to do so safely. But I do not recommend this haste, as the walls will not be as smooth as they would be if the cement had all night to “ set” in before the planks were raised. A 4x 12 inch sill was bedded on the wall in the last layer of concrete. This sill was made of 2X12 inch spruce plank nailed together. Upon these sills a building was placed with posts five feet high, the beams on the top of these posts being thoroughly braced to the posts, thus firmly tying the whole structure together. In sections of the country where clean sand, gravel, or stone is not easily obtained, Silo walls may be con- structed of brick in the usual manner of brick buildings. To put up the concrete walls and bed the sills,. to- gether with grading the upper side, where the cutting of the fodder is done, took of the foreman 283 days, 20 THE BOOK OF .ENSILAGE, work of laborers 149 days, and 34 days’ work of one horse. Putting up the frame to hold the plank took two carpenters two days. It required 124 barrels of cement, costing $1.25 per barrel in Lowell. The teaming of the cement and lumber is included in the above account of time of horses and laborers. The cost of the whole structure will of course vary in different locations, as the cost of labor and materials varies. My Silos (capacity about 800,000 pounds) cost me about $500. In other words, Silos will cost about one dollar and a quarter for each ton’s capacity. Large ones will cost less, small ones more. The following diagram illustrates my Silos. Silos may be built of stone pointed with cement mor- tar and plastered on the inside, or of brick, or of con- crete as mine are. Whichever material is the cheapest and most convenient in any locality is the best to use there. Brick will cost more than the conerete) Gen crete wall costs about ten cents per cubic foot. As a general rule, Silos should be built rectangular in form, the width being about one-third the length, and the height about two-fifths of the length, and if possible should be sunk about one-half below the surface of the ground. If there is a side hill near the stables, so that the surface of the earth will come nearly to the top of the walls at one end of the Silos, it will be found very con- venient in filling the Silos, in weighting the Ensilage, and in removing the weights as it is fed out. These walls must be built sufficiently strong to with- stand when empty the pressure of the earth inward, as well as the pressure outward, caused by the settling of the Ensilage under the superimposed weights placed upon it. DESCRIPTION OF THE “WINNING-FARM” SILOS. 21 if ‘qnoun MeIlSG — ‘Zz ‘gselIsSuy OY, — ‘I a ah a sited Ot o SS *S]USIOM 9U0}G — “fh Suuaaos yurrg — °£ *sI00q — ‘9 Ajvep qno axe} aq 0} faors [eoy10 4 — °S ovalse wae waemmets obo a aa GSS SSS RES — SSS are eee | QS “oS = eelaln Pam o.er ‘gsvuleIq — °g . "100 yuowaD — *Z 22 THE BOOK OF ENSTLAGE. Where it is not convenient to get stone for weights, heavy logs of wood may be used, sawed in pieces about three feet in length, and placed on end all over the planks which cover the Ensilage; three feet of wood being about equal in weight to one foot of stone. Or broken bricks may be obtained at the brickyards at a nominal price. Where neither of the above is availa- ble, bags or boxes of earth may be used as weights. Where boxes of earth are used, they should be made of such a size as to fit close together side by side. M. Goffart recommends that the corners be rounded. I thought that cutting them off, as shown in the diagram, would answer as well and be much less expensive. I find, upon opening the Silo, that the Ensilage is pre- Earth-box for weights, showing convenient handles which will not interfere with piling the boxes when removed. DESCRIPHION OF THE “WINNING-FARM” SILOS. 23 served as well and settled as evenly in these corners as elsewhere ; also that the preservation is just as perfect close to the walls as in the centre, showing that a con- crete wall is more impervious to air than a brick one. CHAPTER Ii. FILLING THE: SILO. ] COMMENCED cutting my green-corn fodder on Sept. 22, and finished putting on the stone for weight at three o'clock p.m., Sept. 30, putting in about two feet in depth daily. ‘This is fast enough; for the shrinkage will then be much less when the weights are put on than it would be were the Silo filled faster. The seven acres of corn-fodder filled one Silo to with- in, about 52 feet trom the top: Wpen the top (olseme Ensilage I put about one foot of rye straw uncut. ‘Then I commenced at one end, and floored it over by laying 14 inch spruce plank crosswise the entire length. Upon this floor I put about 25 tons of bowlders. I am not sure that the straw is necessary: further experiments will decide. I shall use less next season. The Ensilage settled about 14 feet. There has been no odor or steam arising from it. The cost of cutting the corn up, hauling it to the cutter, cutting it 7 of an inch long, and packing it in the Silo, was not far from 75 cents per ton. It was new work. The cutter was not adapted to the business, clogging badly and necessitating slow feeding. All this combined to make it cost more than it will when we become used to the work of handling large amounts of green-corn fodder. . 24 CELI G TLTS SLO: 25 The corn-fodder can be cut in the field with corn- knives cheaper than by the mowing-machine. The men as they cut it lay it in bunches; for it is much easier for the drivers to load it when laid in bunches, than to gather it up after the mowing-machine. The extra cost in cutting is more than made up by the expedition in loading and hauling. I think the cost of Ensilaging 300 to 400 tons, when we have the right kind of a cutter (Baldwin’s Ameri- can fodder-cutter all sizes, adapted to large as well as small farmers, substantially built and at reasonable prices, isgete best one | have seen: they are manufactured for, and are for sale by, Joseph Breck & Sons, the old and reliable seedsmen and dealers in all kinds of agri- cultural implements, Boston, Mass.: I have bought seeds and tools of them for many years, and have always found them reliable and trustworthy), will not exceed 4o cents per ton. This is less than it would cost to go to the field, and cut and haul it into the barn; and, after it is in the barn, the labor of feeding the whole fodder is much more than to fill a basket in the Silo and give it to each animal. Therefore it is cheaper to cut up the whole crop at one time, put it in the Silos, and feed it from them to the stock even in summer, than to go to the field for it as it is wanted. Now, when it is considered that the corn-plant is at its best but a few days; that it can al/ be put into Silos when in the best condition; and that, notwithstanding great care in successive plantings, if used directly from the fields, much has to be fed either in an immature state, or when too hard for the cattle to masticate the stalks, — it will be seen that the saving, however consid- erable in planting as well as harvesting the whole crop at one time, is but a trifle compared to the gain in nutri- 26 THE BOOK OF ENSILAGE. tive value by being all cut at the right stage of growth, and preserved by the a of Ensilage with all its elements uninjured. Ensilage is therefore the most economical method 6f soiling. ‘The preserved succulent forage is improved by lying in the Silos, and at the same time the easiest and cheapest road by which green crops can reach the man- ger is through the Silo. It practically annihilates winter, and places the stock-raisers and dairymen in better cir- cumstances than they would be if they had throughout the year the waving fields of oats or rye and the luxu- riant corn in their best stage for soiling, from which to cut the daily food of their animals. The advantage of being able to plant or sow the whole crop at one time, and to cut and store it all at once, when in its most nutritive state, can hardly be over-estimated. My corn was planted from the 15th to the 25th of June. On one acre was Stowel’s evergreen sweet corn; the other six acres, Southern white corn. There were at least twice as many tons of the latter to the acre as of the former. I shall plant no more sweet corn for Ensilage. The corn was all sown in drills about three feet apart, one bushel of seed-corn to the acre; was manured with about six cords of stable manure spread broadcast after ploughing, and harrowed twice with a Thomas smoothing harrow. It was planted with an ‘Albany corn-planter ;” which, in addition to opening the drill, dropping the corn, and covering it, also de- posited about two hundred pounds to the acre of a mix- ture composed of equal parts of superphosphate, cotton- seed, meal, and gypsum. A portion did not come up well, and had to be replanted. The dry weather and cool nights of the summer of 1879 prevented a rapid growth in certain portions. In fact, it was not a good PILLING (RHE SILO. >. 2 corn year, so that the crop was somewhat uneven at harvesting. The leaves at the bottom of the stalks had largely become dry and dead, and a sharp frost when the cutting was about half finished injured somewhat the leaves on that portion still standing in the field. Some of the stalks had ears large enough for roasting ; and the . whole of it, I think, was rather too mature. There was estimated to be in the Silo when opened 125 tons. The crop was very uneven, some parts having at least 40 tons to the acre. Upon other parts, where the drought affected that which was replanted, the yield was not over Io tons per acre.. I do not think it will be at all difficult to raise 40 to 75 tons per acre upon an average on good corn-land. It should be planted from the Ist; to the 1toth of June. It will then be in full blossom, and in the best condition to cut, by the last of August and before any frost can injure it. As stated above, the cutting was finished on the 3oth of September. It was decided to open it on the third day of December; and, as the condition of the Ensilaged maize was a question of the utmost importance, it was, upon the suggestion of Mr. Brown, decided to have the “opening of the Winning-Farm Silos” a public matter “as the American Initiative.”’ Accordingly invitations were sent to quite a number of gentlemen, well known for their interest in agricul- ture, as well as for the benefit they have conferred upon the whole country in the untiring efforts they have made to improve not only our system of cultivation, but our domestic breeds of cattle and all the fruits of the earth which minister to the wants and add to the pleasures of mankind. CEA Pile V7 OPENING OF THE SILO. UNFORTUNATELY the meetings of the State Board of Agriculture and the Massachusetts State Dairy Fair, were held on the same day as the opening, which pre- vented the attendance of many gentlemen, who, however, sent letters of regret’ expressing” @reat mberest athe result. | The following letter was received from the United States Commissioner of Agriculture : — DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 1870. J. B. Brown, 50 Beekman Street, New York. Dear Sir, —1 am much gratified to receive and thank you for the invitation to attend the opening of the First American Silo at the farm of Mr. John M. Bailey at Billerica, Mass. As Congress will be in session at the time mentioned, it will not be possible for me to attend, a fact which I regret very much. Will you have the kindness to convey to Mr. Bailey my sincere regrets, and ask him to give me a detailed statement of the experiment from beginning to end, for publication in my next annual report? I look upon the system of Ensilage as one which has wrought won- derful changes in certain French provinces, and from which we may hope for greater success in this country. It will prove, I have little doubt, a very decided advance in our agri- cultural methods. : Very respectfully yours, Wo. G. LE Duc, Commissioner. OPENING OF THE SILO. 29° The following letter from Hon. Marshall P. Wilder shows us that neither his advanced age, nor the painful accident from which we all rejoice to know he is rapidly recovering, has diminished his interest in all that per- tains to an improved agriculture : — Boston, Dec. 2, 1879. My dear Sir, —1 would be glad to be at the “ Winning reception ” to-morrow, but I am not sufficiently recovered to take the journey. With thanks for your kind invitation, I am yours as ever, Mr. BAILEY. MarsHALL P. WILDER. RAMSEyY’s, BERGEN County, N.J., Nov. 27, 1879. Mr. J. B. Brown. My dear Sir,—In reply to your letter of the roth inst., I regret to say that I shall leave in a few days for California, and am therefore un- able to accept the invitation of Mr. Bailey to be present at the opening of his Silo of 120 tons of “ Ensilage,” on the 3d of December, on his farm at Billerica, Mass. I have no doubt that the preservation of corn-stalks green for winter fodder will soon become the great resource of our farmers, giving, as it will, increased remuneration to agricultural industry. Mr. Bailey is to be congratulated upon giving the First public exhi- bition of Ensilage, which promises such important changes. I am confident, from the investigation I have given the subject, that it will be a convincing showing of its great national value to all present. I have felt for the last three years that I could render no greater benefit to my neighbors, than to direct their attention to this system of hus- bandry. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, Ropman M. PRIckE. MoreETON FARM, ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec. 2, 1879. Joun M. BAILEv.. Dear Sir, —I received your kind invitation to be with you to-morrow. Nothing would please me better; but I am so busy with my seeds, that it will be impossible to spare the time. I think you have struck the right idea. Respectfully yours, Jos. Harris. 30 THE BOOK OF ENSILAGE. Letters were also received from the agricultural edit- ors of the ‘“‘New York Tribune,” ‘‘New York World,” “Land and Home,” and other journals, asking for infor- mation as to the experiment; and also from Professors Stockbridge, Goessmann, and Maynard, Richard Good- man, Esq., H. H. Commins, Esq., William H. Bowker, Esq., T. G. Huntington, O. A. Hillman, S. C. Stone, and many others interested in agricultural developments. Mr. J. B. Brown, President of the “‘ New York Plough Company,” and translator of M. Goffart’s book, was pres- ent; and there were quite a large number of gentlemen from New York and the New England States. After briefly looking at the Berkshire swine, Oxford- shire-down and Cotswold sheep, and Jersey and short- horn cattle, the company repaired to the Silos; and to say that there was a good deal of anxiety felt while the stones and spruce plank were being removed for the space of about three feet at one end of the Silo, would be stating no untruth. The top and edge of the Ensilage next the door for two or three inches, was somewhat musty, and in places almost rotten. But directly below this the fodder came out cool, soft, moist, and wholesome looking, with a strong alcoholic odor, and quite acid. It was evident that fermentation had been going on until acetic acid had been formed. The following from the report of the editor of ‘‘The Lowell Journal,” who was present, will describe the im- pression received by those present at the “opening :” — “There was, however, no unpleasant taste, except the acidity, and no unpleasant smell. “There were twenty or thirty head of cattle on the farm, as well as sheep, swine, and horses. They were all given some of the Ensilage. | “The hogs ate it greedily. The sheep also seemed very fond of it. OREINING OF TLE SLES: 31 The neat stock were not so eager for it at first; but mos of them seemed after a while to acquire a taste for it, and soon manifested a desire for more. “There were spots where the fodder was not so sour; but it was evi- dent that it did not come out the sweet, fresh, and palatable fodder which has been secured in the French Silos. _ «The reasons which may be ascribed for this are various. Mr. Brown thought it was due to the maturity of the fodder when cut. “Tt may be that being just at the upper corner, near the door, the preservation from oxygen was less perfect than will prove to have been the case farther down in the mass. “The numerous dry and dead leaves caused by the drought and frost may possibly have something to do with it. We shall know more about this as the Silo is emptied. “One thing is certain thus far: the fodder is so wef preserved that the cattle wz// eat it, and there is no question but that they will A7zve On it. «Since writing the above we have received a note from Mr. Bailey, dated Dec. 5, in which he says, — “