382 FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



At the institute at Bancroft, Prof. Cook spoke as follows on this subject: 



A silo is simply a tight box for the preservation of stock food, air tight, in 

 a form in which it can be easily used by animals. 



I know a man who says that he eats fifteen apples per day. Could he do 

 that if the apples were dried? 



Lawes and Gilbert originally objected to silos because they added nothing 

 to the food, and merely retained a portion of its natural moisture. But 

 there are several just claims to be made for ensilage. 



1st. It is more digestible than dried fodder. 



2d. It is an easier form in which to preserve and store food. 



For ensilage, cut the corn with a reaper, one row at a time, one acre in two 

 hours. Cut, not green, but at the same time that you would for drying; let 

 it wilt on the ground one day ; draw on trucks if you have them, and draw 

 part at a time, two or three days apart, and cut into one inch pieces; put in 

 when not too wet ; cover witii thick, heavy building paper, and then with a 

 load or two of hay. A fair yield is 14 tons per acre; one ton occupies 50 

 cubic feet of space. A silo 14x15x16 will hold three acres' product; two 

 tons of ensilage is equal to one ton of hay. This kind of food will make but- 

 ter in winter. Mr. Gould says it takes two acres of hay to keep a cow. and 

 the same amount of ensilage will keep eight cows. Ensilage costs $1.50 a 

 ton. 



Mr. Baird : Do you put the ears in? 



Prof. Cook : Yes, sir. 



Mr. Baird : Is the silo above ground or below? 



Prof. Cook : No difference if properly drained. 



Mr. : Won't freezing spoil it? 



Prof. Cook: It won't freeze. 



Mr. Baird: Do you cut it? 



Prof. Cook: Some store it without cutting, but it is better to cut it, as 

 less air is included. 



Mr. : Does it need pressing in process of storing? 



Prof. Cook: It is well to tramp it, but not necessary. 



Mr. E. A. Burnett: Do they feed ensilage alone? 



Prof. Cook : Yes, when ears and all are siloed, though bran is well to feed 

 with it. It is excellent for sheep, hogs or any animals, and will keep way 

 along into the following summer. 



COOPERATIVE CEEAMERIES. 



DISCUSSION AT FREMONT AND CHARLOTTE INSTITUTES. 



Mr. S. B. Walker : What is the cost of a small cooperative creamery for 

 a country neighborhood ? 



Prof. Johnson : Of course it depends altogether on how extensively the 

 business is gone into. $1,200 to $1,500 for building, and 1650 for apparatus 

 would establish a small one. 



Mrs. Hall : I would like to say a good word in this connection for Jersey 

 cows. They live on one-third less than native cattle, and give a harder, bet- 

 ter butter and more of it. 



