ENSILAGE. 41 



o 



"borrowed from other parts of the wsilo ; but there is another point 

 of great importance here, and that is, that this particular sample 

 of ensilage was of a close, compact nature, and suffered less 

 change in the silo than any of the others. Not only so, but for 

 some months after the sample was taken out of the silo, and 

 simply kept in a tin box, it has kept as sweet and perfect as it 

 was when taken out. Plantation grass put into a silo and well 

 made into ensilage is pure gain, and wherever there is a large 

 extent of that feeding material going to waste, a silo would be a 

 very great saving. 



The hay crop at Earlypier and Harcus, made from the same 

 materials as were put into the silos, was not secured in very 

 good condition, and samples of it which I have analysed show 

 that the loss of nutritive matter is considerably greater than 

 that sustained by the ensilage. Owing to the circumstance that 

 the various crops were piled into the same silo, and got mixed 

 with each other to some extent, an accurate comparison of the 

 hay with the corresponding ensilage is not possible ; but, stated 

 in general terms, the amount of nutritive matter contained in 

 the ensilage dried at 212^ Fahr., may be reckoned as about one- 

 fourth more than that of the hay dried at the same temperature. 

 Considering the altitude of the farms of Earlypier and Harcus, 

 it is highly probable that the ensilage made last year is fully 

 up to the average feeding quality of the hay made in that 

 district. 



There are many advantages claimed for ensilage, and these 

 will require to receive careful attention, and now that the pro- 

 cess has passed the stage of wonder and curiosity, it may be 

 expected to be used with care and precision, so that its true 

 place in the economy of the farm may be properly adjusted. 



Some of the advantages of making ensilage may be shortly 

 stated thus : — 



It secures the crop at its juiciest and most nutritious period 



of growth. 

 It is independent of the weather. 



It is suitable for high late districts, or for late wet seasons, 

 when hay cannot be well made or oats properly 

 ri})ened. 

 It enables the crop to be early taken off the ground, whereby 

 the land may be sooner made available for other 

 purposes, such as pasturing, or sowing a second crop. 

 It prevents loss when grass comes away too abundantly, or 



when there is too much roughness on the pastures. 

 It entibles all kinds of waste grass from roadsides and 



plantations to be secured in good condition. 

 It is more economical to produce, and is a bettor feeding 

 material than turnips. 



