The Silo and the Material to Fill It. 463 



the stave silo used, was well-built and water-tight, except at the 

 doors. 



More attention should be given to the condition of the material 

 when ensilaged, and of the methods employed in preparing it, and 

 in filling the silo and sealing it. The sealing material is usually 

 not deep enough nor is it kept as wet as it should be. Just here is 

 room for improvement. 



As yet we have discovered but one plant that is eminently 

 productive in universal culture, easily raised, acceptable to the 

 animals, cheaply harvested and ensilaged, coupled with good keep- 

 ing qualities — Indian corn. 



Maize is pre-eminently a sun plant and therefore should be 

 grown under conditions which harmonize with its inherited charac- 

 teristics. A large yield is desired, therefore as large varieties 

 should be grown as will reach a fair degree of maturity in the 

 locality where produced. Varieties producing abundant leaves 

 and not too large stalks should be selected, because leaves are 

 more acceptable than stalks, and since the grain is more accept- 

 able than stalks or leaves, the variety should be prolific. It should 

 be planted thin enough to secure a goodly quantity of ear--, and 

 should be early enough to permit the most forward cars to become 

 glazed before frost appears. Having selected varieties well 

 adapted to soil and climate, much attention should be given to the 

 preparation of the land and to subsequent introculture. The soil 

 is often too moist and cold in the spring for maize to start 

 vigorously. Then it stands to reason that the land should be 

 loose and light, not compact and sad at time of planting. Corn 

 ground is more often over than under prepared. One cultivation 

 may be given after the corn is planted and before it conies up. 

 If this cultivation be rather deep it will tend to warm and dry the 

 land. The harrow may also be used after the cultivator and bo- 

 fore the corn is through the ground, as well as afterward. Much 

 depends on the character of the soil as to the after methods uf 

 tillage. In light soils the harrow may be used to more advantage 

 than in heavy ones. On cold and heavy lands the roots form 

 nearer to the surface than they do on warm soils. This distance 

 between the stalks in the rows, and the intervals between the 

 rows, are governed somewhat by the variety of corn., the fertility 

 of the land, and the moisture holding capacity of the soil. Good 

 judgment and the faculty of adapting means to ends are always 

 required. Silage is not an ideal cattle food as now prepared, but 



