160 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the ditch, lined with compact earth ; the remaining space 

 was filled witli the earth obtained from its constrnction ; 

 .subsequently the soil was raised to from six to eight inches 

 above the level of the surrounding ground. The contents of 

 the silo, after ten months' keeping, were found to be of a 

 dark-green color, of a slightly acid re-action, and of an 

 agreeable odor. They were eagerly eaten by cattle. 



The composition of the clover ( Trifollum pratense) before 

 entering the silo, and after its removal, was as follows : — 



FBESH GBEEN CLOTER. ENSILAGE. 



A sample of both substances, calculated for a perfectly 

 dry material, was found to consist as follows : — 



An examination of these analytical results shows that tl;e 

 amount of nitrogenous matter and the fatty acids have in- 

 creased somewhat in the ensilage, as compared with the 

 green clover ; whilst the digestible non-nitrogenous matter 

 of the clover has been reduced to from six to eight per cent 

 in quantity. The total amount of organic matter destroyed 

 has not been stated : it is no doubt larger, and quite worthy 

 of notice, judging from the results obtained in the succeeding 

 experiment, with a plant of similar character, — esparsette 

 (^Onobrychis sativa}, cultivated saintfoin, — by II. Weiske. 



Esparsette Erisilage. — The material which served in the 

 experiment was cut on the 16th of June. One portion of 

 the green esparsette was carefully dried, and saved for an 

 analysis ; another portion was packed tightly into a box, and 



