^22 Agricultural Gazette of N.S. IF. [Nov. 2, 1908. 



At tlie close of eacli day's woik it is advisable to apply sonic |)i('ssure to 

 assist in consolidating" the material, and some heavy timbers of i;;ood length 

 will be found very useful for the purpose. The weights sbonM be removed 

 on resuming woik, but on the completion of the stack they should be allowed 

 to remain on toj). The material should be thoroughly comjn-essed by treading 

 (luring the erection of the stactk, and this operation will be greatly assisted 

 where some support to the sides such as described is afforded. Pre.ssure may 

 be applied by mechanical appliances, oi- by placing heavy timbers, stones, 

 bags of earth, kc, on the surface of the stack. )Suthcient pressure should he 

 used to ensure the thorough compression of the material in tiie upper portio i 

 of the stack, which, in its turn, provides pressure for the lower por'tions. 

 Failure to exclude air by insutficient treading of the material, oi' bv insuffi- 

 cient application of pressure to the upper portion of the stack, mav cau^e 

 spontaneous combustion, or, at any rate, consitlei'able actual loss of material 

 by overheating. Similar results may arise from the use of material which 

 has passed the requisite stage of succulence. Should it be desired to take 

 the temperature, a piece of metal pipe should be built into the stack, so as to 

 admit of a thermometer being suspended, by means of a flexible wire, fairly 

 in the middle of the stack. The thei'mometer can then be withdrawn when 

 it is desired to ascertain the temperature. Fermentation commences at DO 

 degrees Fahr. ; and, as it is undesirable that the temperature should rise 

 above 150 degrees Fahr., more pressure should be applied should it appear 

 likely that the limit will be exceeded. 



A stack, when built as high as possible, may be rounded on top and well 

 covered with straw, ,so placed as to throw the rain off; or it may be covered 

 with galvanized iron or rooting felt. The more permanent roofing is to be 

 preferred in districts liable to heavy rain, and there the use of the latter 

 material will be advantageous for protecting the sides. 



A stack may be opened and the fodder used in eight to twelve weeks after 

 completion ; but sufficient for the day's consumption only should be removed, 

 as it is liable to deteriorate when exposed to tlie air. A hay-knife should he 

 used to cut it out. 



As little as possible of the opened portion of the stack should he exposed, 

 and loss may be prevented by covering it with a tarpaulin or (hv straw. 



The feeding value of silage will be greatly improved by a .selection of 

 varieties of plants, which, where possible, should be grown togetliei- for 

 convenience in harvesting and stacking, and so as to ensure a more regular 

 admixture of fodder plants possessing varied (pialities. 



Thus, field-peas or vetches should be sown with oats, barley, or wheat 

 intended for silage ; and, apart from tlie added value of the silage, the 

 leguminous plants will prove of value in fertilising the soil. The growth of 

 crops for silage will piove of great value in combating the black oats pest, 

 as, owing to the necessity for cutting such crops before maturity, weeds may 

 be removed before the seeds can ri[)en. 



