70 DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 



clnirns that I have for some years urged respecting tliis method of preserving- 

 fodder. 



Ensilage is a clieap substitute for roots, and gives in convenient form au aj^ 

 petizing, healthy food for our stack, during the long period they must be con- 

 fined in stables. It should never be the only food of the animal, but fed in 

 connection with some grain and dried fodder to secure the best results. It has 

 passed the trial period and has come to stay. Silos have been built all over the 

 country, a-nd without exception, so far as I can learn, when a silo lias been filled 

 properly and its contents fed judiciously hi] a "practical cattle man, it has proved 

 satisfactory. Some visionary people who have seemed to think that ensilage 

 was to revolutionize cattle feeding and that it would supplement the lack of 

 ca.re and common sense in feeding and management, have as a matter of course 

 been disappointed, and a few of our farm journals have taken special pains to 

 call the attention of the public to these examples of failure. 



Query. — Is it because the papers, or their contributors took the wrong side 

 of this question on the start, and have been trying to prove themselves con- 

 sistent ever since, that they maintain this antagonism? 



The English Parliament recently appointed a committee to investigate and 

 report upon this method of preserving fodder as likely to be of great import- 

 ance to agricultural interests. This committee, composed of some of the best 

 known men in the kingdom, after taking a large amount of evidence from 

 those who had built silos and fed ensilage, and after the most thorough 

 examination of the subject, have made a most favorable report. They say 

 that "all the evidence seems to show that a nourishing, useful food for animals 

 can be preserved by this process." They further report " that the testimony 

 of the dairy farmers doe's not justify the assertion that dairy products are 

 injuriously affected by ensilage, but that on the contrary it distinctly improves 

 the yield of milk and cream and the quality of the butter — the silos in Great 

 Britain have doubled in number in the last twelve months — and that the 

 evidence warrants the extension and development of the system as a valuable 

 auxiliarv to the farm." 



We liave been favored with visits from committees appointed by the execu- 

 tive committee of the State Agricultural Society and the State Grange. The 

 Shorthorn and the Holstein Breeders' Associations also visited us during their 

 annual meeting in December last. 



The college, to be useful and accomplish its proper work, must have the 

 respect, support and sympathy of these and other kindred agricultural associa- 

 tions in our State, and all legitimate means to cultivate pleasant and intimate 

 relations should be improved. The kind words of commendation and the 

 friendly criticism of many of our leading farmers and stock men have been a 

 source of gratification as well as of encouragement to me in my work 



In April, Mr. Abram Birch, the foreman of the farm for the past five years, 

 resigned his position to take charge of his father-in-law's farm. I desire to 

 record uiy appreciation of the services of Mr. and Mrs. Birch during these 

 years, iii wliat is in many ways, a trving position. They had proved them- 

 selves efficient and faithful, our relations had been of the most pleasant char- 

 acter, and I regretted to part with them. 



Mr. L. E. Snyder filled the position very acceptably until September let, 

 Avhen Mr. H. D. French, class of '85, took charge. 



Mr. and Mrs. 0. W. Ayres were secured to take charge of the farm house, 

 and have done so acce})tably. 



