The Question Box. 285 



Is it of aa vantage to feed beets with ensilage? 



Mr. Chapman. — I have fed both beets and ensilage, two winters. 

 Have concluded it does not pay to grow beets when I have en- 

 silage. 



Counting tlie expense of silo construction and filling, which is the 

 cheaper and of most feeding A^alue — ensilage or corn-stalks? 



Mr. Ward. — The most expensive way to save a corn crop is to 

 cut, shock and husk it. We once made the experiment and found 

 that it costs |2.08 per acre more to harvest it that way than when 

 put into the silo. Then, when it came to comparing the two, the 

 old way did not compare at all with the ensilage. I think the feed- 

 ing loss will be about thirty to forty per cent, in the old way, 

 while not more than two to five per cent, will occur in ensilage.* 



- What is the cause of ensilage molding about 18 inches deep from the 

 outside, and the inside being good? 



Mr. Converse. — I never have seen such a condition except when 

 the stalks were too dry when put into the silo. Such corn ought 

 to be wet down somewhat when cut, to hasten fermentation. 



Why does ensilage mold in spots in the silo? 



Mr. Ward. — It is on account of uneven treading. There would 

 be no moldy ensilage if the treading were evenly and thoroughly 

 done. II I 



Why make ensilage, if the corn stalks have a food value of 1.013 and 

 ensilage only .349, according to the chart? 



Mr. Converse. — An acre of corn stalks will not weigh to exceed 

 five tons, while an acre of ensilage will weigh from teu to twenty 

 tons. It is not the question of per centages, but of weight that 

 must be considered, also that of succulence. 



How much corn ensilage should we feed a cow? 



Mr. Cook.— From thirty to fifty pounds. We have even fed 

 more than that, but I have come to believe it not best to feed too 

 much of it, and I find by experiment that a little loose coarse 

 fodder or dry hay is better when fed in ensilage. We also get a 

 better flow of milk when the cows are on pasture if they are fed 

 a little hay daily. 



