78 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



and, from the side of this pit most distant from the stable, 

 other rows of pits are made at right angles with and con- 

 necting with this and with each other by doorways. 



It will be seen from this construction, that as many tiers 

 of pits may be made, end to end, at right angles to the first 

 or entrance pit, as may be required and space allow; and 

 that, after the contents of this first or entrance pit are fed 

 out, each of the other rows of pits may be opened and fed 

 out, one pit at a time ; and that only the surface of the food 

 at the end of the one pit which is being fed will at any time 

 be exposed to the air until the whole are fed out, — and this 

 without opening or disturbing the necks of the pits above, 

 which remain sealed. Any other form or construction of 

 pits which answers the conditions may be used. Pits or 

 wells open only at the top, either round, elliptical, or rectan- 

 gular, may be used, the food being put in and taken out 

 through the top only. Such pits would have one advantage, 

 — that successive croppings might be put in the same pit, 

 one above the other, each being sealed with a layer of earth 

 when put in. Where sufficient depth cannot be got above 

 water, pits may be made partly above and partly below the 

 surface, the earth excavated being used to make a broad and 

 firm embankment around them to their tops. 



It is important that the pits be so constructed and lo- 

 cated, that the fodder, as drawn from the field, may be de- 

 posited conveniently at or over the top of the pits, and the 

 cutting-machine may be so placed, that the fodder, when 

 cut, will fall as readily as possible into the pits. The fod- 

 der, when green, being very heavy, it is quite important to 

 avoid handling it unnecessarily. 



FILLING THE PITS. 



The green fodder is drawn from the field as fast as cut, 

 and may be cut in any weather, except during rain. After 

 running tlirough the cutting-raachiue, it is deposited and 

 trod into the pit firmly, until the j)it is full. Tlie doorway 

 at the end of this pit, having already been closed by placing 

 boards across it upon the inside as the filling progressed, is 

 now sealed tightly by placing other boards, properly fas- 

 tened, across it upon the outside of the jambs, and filling the 

 space between the jambs with well-compacted earth, so that 



