80 . EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



After the silo is filled, the surface should be levelled and thoroughly tramped ; 

 and after the lapse of not more than one day, it should be covered to a depth of 6 

 inches with cut straw or cheap fodder. If this be tramped occasionally, and a foot 

 of cut straw be put on top of that a few days later, probably no waste ensilage will 

 be found on the opening of the silo for feeding. 



Feeding the Ensilage. 



The " EoBERTSON Mixture " is to be fed with 4 lbs. less meal or grain per 50 

 lbs. of ensilage, than Iras been required with ordinary Indian corn ensilage, to make 

 an economical ration for feeding milking cows and fattening cattle. 



tiilo. 



Ensilage has come to mean any kind of fodder which is cured and preserved in 

 a succulent state for the feeding of domestic animals. The silo has no power to add 

 any nutrient to the fodder which is put into it for preservation. Its contents may 

 become more digestible and palatable by the changes which proceed slowly under 

 the action of ferments, or they may become less pleasant and wholesome, if fermen- 

 tation goes too far. 



Fodder which is deficient in nutrients before it is put into a silo, will expe- 

 rience no regeneration there. Degeneration into offensive material is the only and 

 constant tendency. 



To prevent deterioration and decay is the function of the silo ; and to that end 

 it should be constructed to exclude the atmosphere. To do so requires the use of 

 building material of adequate strength. The fastening of the parts, at the founda- 

 tion and at the corners of the silo, should be secure. I have found one ply of sound, 

 1-inch lumber, tongued and grooved, and nailed horizontally on the inside of studs 2 

 inches by 10 inches or 2 inches by 12 inches, to be sufficient. 



A clay or earthen floor is most economical and is as good as any that can be 

 put in. 



Report on results. 



Please keep a record of: — 



(1) How the soil Avas prepared ; 



(2) How the seeds were planted ; 



(3) The date of planting; 



(4) The date of cuttino; ; 



(5) The stage of growth attained by the different plants of the mixture ; 



(6) The yield per acre of Indian corn and horse beans ; 



(7) The yield per acre of sunflower heads ; 



(8) Any unusual condition of weather such as heavy storm, frost, etc. ; 



(9) Any other occurrence or condition which may affect the crop. 



A form upon which to report, will be sent to you in due season. Please fill it 

 up carefully and return it here. 



Letters on official business can be sent free of postage. 



Wm. Saunders, Jas. W. Eobertson, 



Director. Agriculturist. 



On the Experimental Farm here, the mixture was planted in accordance with 

 these directions, and tests were also made by the planting of the corn and horse 

 beans in alternate rows, and by the growing of the horse beans in rows, by 

 themselves. The following shows the results obtained from the different methods of 

 planting: — 



A plot of nearly 3 acres was planted on June 3rd with Thoroughbred White 

 Flint corn and horse beans of the Granton variety. The soil on one quarter of the plot 

 was light sandy loam and on the remaining three quarters was heavy sandy loam. 

 A dressing of cattle-stable manure was applied at the rate of 10 or 12 tons per acre, 



