Aug. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 605 



The stack silo is a good idea where maize is to be converted into silage, and it has the 

 advantage that there is no outlay of money for its construction, also that it can be 

 built in any handy situation. Still, this style is by no means perfect, for the making of 

 the stack is very laboinous, and the waste is sometimes as high as 30 per cent. 



The most expensive, but in the end the best, is the brick or concrete silo, as there is very- 

 little waste and it is eminently suited for making silage of such crops as maize, sorghum,^ 

 millet, lucerne, clovers, sudau grass, meadow grasses, cereals and cowpeas. The initial 

 cost of this type of silo, together with the necessary machinery (a small .engine, chaff- 

 cutter and elevator), is a big consideration in these times of high-priced materials, but 

 the durability of the structure, the better preservation of the fodder, the amount of 

 labour saved in filling and emptying the overground silo, show that this type is the most 

 satisfactory and cheapest in the long run. In fact, it will prove the best sinking fund 

 of all. 



Maize is the ideal silage crop because of its high feeding value and its cheap production, 

 for large yields can be grown on small areas in nearly every dairying district. It should- 

 be reaped when in the cobbing stage, and chaffed and filled into the silo as 4uickly as 

 possible afterwards. 



A secondary method of conserving fodder is by cured hay. Lucerne comes first in thia^ 

 class, because of its high nutritive value, and mice and rats do little damage to it if 

 kept from year to year. The cultivation of lucerne is at present confined to a few 

 localities, chiefly river flats, but by experimenting and careful farming this valuable 

 fodder plant may be profitably grown in most districts. Farmers should note that the 

 cost of growing lucerne is ridiculously low after you have a plot on a fair footing. 



Wheaten and oaten hay both make good provision against drought, being nutritive 

 and easily fed to stock. The depredations of mice and rats are very appreciable with 

 this class, and consequently it cannot be so profitably kept for long periods like the 

 abovementioned fodders. 



In summing up, let us remember (1) that conservation of fodder is the only solution of 

 the drought problem, for there are periods, sometimes of many months' duration, when 

 the soil does not contain sufficient moisture to germinate seeds that may be sown for 

 green fodder for starving stock ; (2) that silage (which contains the sap and juice of the 

 plants) is cheaper and more nutritious than cured hay, giving better results in drought 

 time when there is not a green picking available ; (3) that it is greatly to the farmer's- 

 advantage to keep all stock alive in drought time, if possible, as enhanced prices will rule 

 when the outlook becomes promising again — not only to make up losses in other districts 

 but to adjust the shortage which is apparent all over the world. 



Departmental Note. — Commenting on the winning essay, Mr. Makin mentioned 

 that the too rapid filling of the silo imprisoned oxygen which generated too great a tem- 

 perature, with the result that the silage became black ; the filling required care. 

 Although maize was one of the best plants to grow for silage, it did not make ideal silage, 

 as its protein content was low. To make up the deficiency a legume comparatively lich 

 in protein should be added, such as lucerne, cowpeas, velvet beans or clover. 



Cunningar. 



The annual meeting of this branch was held on 2nd July. Four new- 

 members were elected ; the membership roll now covers thirty financial 

 members. The election of office-bearers resulted in Mr. Thomas Hobson 

 being elected Chairman, and Mr. B. J. Stocks, Hon. Secretary. 



It was decided to arrange an exhibit for the Murrumburrah show^ a few of 

 the special lines to be included being wheat, wool, mutton, beef, fat lambs, 

 hay chaff, pigs, poultry, fruits, honey, &c. It was also decided that the 

 members take a trip to Temora Experiment Farm late in the spring, and that 

 a picnic and sports meeting be held in the near future. 



Dural. 



At the meeting held on 25th June, a discussion took place on several of 

 the subjects suggested in the Gazette for the months of May and June. 



In regard to the planting of deciduous trees, it is the custom in the district to 

 prepare the soil in June and to plant in July. As regards lime in the orchard, 

 April was considered the best month, and the lime required was stated to be 

 15 cwt. per acre. Ten new members were elected, and the branch is in a 

 progressive state. 



