The Question Box. 295 



Can a poor man, with a mortgage on his farm, afiEord to build a silo? 



Mr. Kogers of Binghamton. — It is the poor man who cannot 

 afford to do without it. He can keep his cows more cheaply than 

 on any other starchy foods, while the quality of the milk from the 

 •cows, when the ensilage is properly made and put up, properly bal- 

 anced and fed, is the very best. No! The poor man should be the 

 first to build the silo. The rich farmer can get along without it, 

 but the poor man, if he reaps any profits from the cows, must 

 bave it, if he wishes to lift that mortgage. 



To Mr. Cook. — Do you recommend the Page fence as hoops for round 

 •iloes? 



Mr. Cook. — Has anyone here had any experience with it? 



No answer. 



Mr. Cook, — I don't know. I have seen siloes hooped with Page 

 fence. Will build two round siloes next season. Will not use the 

 fence. Am in doubt. Have been reported as saying that I would 

 use it. I have never said any such thing, because I know noihing 

 about the practicability of the fence, for the purpose. 



Mr. Smallwood. — No Page wire fence for my silo. I patron- 

 ize home men. We have one right here in Warsaw who makes 

 round iron hoops and fits them, ready for the silo. They are 

 good enough for me. 



Is it possible to produce as good milk from ensilage as from roots and 

 grain ? 



Mr. Olin. — I prefer the ensilage, although I have fed both. 1 

 have found, also, that the roots and the ensilage work very well 

 together. I fed both, aJl last winter, and obtained satififactory 

 results. 



Mr. Cook. — The fault that once came from ensilage was caused 

 by putting up the corn when not properly matured. But we hear 

 but little of that now. It is one of the best cattle foods; but 

 there should be some grain fed with it. 



What is the manurial value of ensilage? 



Mr. Cook. — It is very low, only about 82 cents per ton. 



Would ensilage be a good food for sheep in summer, in place of pasture? 



Mr. Cook. — Have any of the farmers here had any experience 

 in feeding ensilage to sheep in summer? 



