108 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



SILO EXPERIENCE IN MISSOURI. 



(R. M. Washburn.) 



The silo was once a failure because not properly built; it is 

 now a success because experience has taught what points are neces- 

 sary. When it comes to changes in farm methods, the farmers of 

 Missouri know a good thing when they see it. If there are any in 

 Missouri who now doubt the worth of a silo for stock feeding and 

 are willing to learn from those who have had experience, let them 

 read the words of the following gentlemen who have learned by 

 experience. 



Mr. Jesse Williams, Excelsior Springs, Clay county, Mo., has 

 used a silo two seasons. He feeds silage to milk cows, horses, 

 calves, hogs and chickens and says, "Last year I fed from 35 to 60 

 head of cattle out of the silo from October 7 to August 15. When 

 the silage ran out it took 400 pounds of bran per day to take its 

 place." 



Mr. Thomas Shields, Eureka, St. Louis county, Mo., has used a 

 silo two years, fills it with corn, sorghum and cowpeas, feeds to 

 dairy cows and heifers and says, "As to cost of filling, my farm is 

 not sufficiently large to pasture my herd and raise sufficient feed 

 to fill silos, so I have to depend on renting land anywhere I can get 

 it. Some of the corn was hauled three and one half miles this last 

 season. While I could not give the practical cost, I will say I was 

 well paid for the hauling. My silo was filled as follows: Three 

 feet corn then four feet cowpeas, then eight sorghum and finished 

 filling with corn. My dairy herd gave best results with corn. I 

 had intended filling one load of each but fields were so far apart 

 and labor so scarce I could not do so." 



Mr. J. E. Roberts, Bolckow, Andrew county. Mo., has used a 

 stave silo one year, filled it with corn, fed to dairy cows with "excel- 

 lent" results. He says, "I think a silo is a necessity to any Mis- 

 souri farmer who has stock. I am satisfied the -increase of produc- 

 tion of milk and cream has paid for my silo this year. My cows 

 have milked the past winter just like they were on^rass." 



Mr. Robert E. Mitchell, Woodlandville, Boone county. Mo., 

 built a concrete silo a year ago, filled with corn, feeds to cows, 

 steers, and young cattle and says, "This is my first year's experi- 

 ence with a silo and, farmer fashion, I have not kept a close account 

 of everything either, as to the cost of building, filling or feed con- 



