6 



Green foods omist he fed with caution. — The succulence and 

 palatability of green foods cause animals to over eat at first, and the 

 rapid fermentation of the green mass in tlie stomach may result 

 seriously. The animals should not be put on full rations of green 

 food at once. They should be accustomed to it gradually by using 

 it iirst as supplementary to the regular ration and increasing the 

 amount till the change has l)een effected. 



Summary : The benefit derived from a soiling system may be out- 

 lined briefly as. follows. The cattle-food producing power of a 

 piece of land may be greatly increased and this food thoroughly 

 utilized ; cattle may be kept in excellent condition ; weeds may be 

 eradicated ; the fertility of the soil may be increased ; the cost of 

 fencing may be reduced. 



Among the special demands of the system are : increased manual 

 labor and the incident expense ; greater skill in providing and sup- 

 plying a constant and suitable supply of food. 



Soiling becomes special farming when it is used exclusively to 

 maintain cattle during summer and requires considerable skill and 

 experience, but as an adjunct to ordinary farm practice it is worthy 

 of trial by all farmers who keep cattle, sheep and hogs. 



Silage. 



Silage is fodder preser'ved hy means of a silo in a green and sue- 

 culent condition. — By means of the silo the soiling system is 

 extended throughout the year. Food products are destroyed by 

 germs causing fermentation, decay and putrefaction. If the gern>s 

 which the substance may contain are killed and other germs are 

 excluded it may be preserved indefinitely. Fruit is heated bj the 

 housewife to the boiling point, the germs of ferment are destroyed ; 

 the fruit is then enclosed in air tight jars and may be preserved with 

 its original aroma and flavor. Thus the housewife " puts up " in 

 gem jars her winter's supply of fruit. The same princi])les govern 

 the preservation of the farmers corn fodder and other soiling crops. 

 Silage is said to he '''' sweeV or ^^ sourP Its acidity depends 

 chiefly on the succulence of the plants used and the amount of air 

 - contained %oithin the mass. — The germs of ferment can only grow 



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