242 EXPERIMENT STATION— BULLETINS. 



ahead way, no undue haste, but pushing the job of harvesting and filling to 

 completion without unnecessary delay. It is most economical of labor, 

 especially if the task is a large one, and gives ensilage of full as good a 

 quality. Yet, if circumstances make slower work desirable, or if an acci- 

 dental detention occurs, there need be no fear of serious loss." 



Prof. Henry, of Wisconsin says : "In regard to making the so-called 

 sweet ensilage, the main point appears to be to have the corn well ripened, 

 ready for early cutting and shocking. Corn ripened so that the grain 

 begins to dent will make sweet ensilage, even if the silo is filled in a single 

 day." 



THE WEIGHTING OF THE ENSILAGE. 



In the early history of the silo heavy weighting of the ensilage was used 

 as an essential detail to secure a good product. More extended experience 

 has modified our views on this point. Now many of our experienced silo 

 men think that no weight is needed, and that covering with a foot of cut 

 straw or hay is all that is necessary. 



I have no doubt that a crust from six to twelve inches deep will be formed 

 on the surface of the ensilage that will usually protect the product below 

 without any weight or covering. The question is one of economy merely as 

 to the saving of the ensilage. It would often be as expensive to draw and 

 cut the straw or hay as it would be to put on a moderate weight if materials 

 are at hand. The labor and expense of weighting I think has been over- 

 estimated by many writers on this point. 



The extra outlay required to weight moderately is too trifling to warrant 

 our taking the chance of a failure because of neglect in this particular. 



FEEDING OF ENSILAGE. 



In the fall of 1881 we filled our silo for the first time, and from that date 

 to this, with the exception of a single year, we have fed ensilage more or less 

 every winter. Every year's experience only confirms and strengthens our 

 faith in its value as a most excellent and cheap part ration for stock, so that 

 our verdict, after seven years of fair and practical trial, is decidedly in its 

 favor. I would not know how to get our stock through the winter without 

 ensilage. It is especially adapted to cattle and sheep, and is being fed 

 extensively in some large horse breeding establishments. Mr. M. W. 

 Dunham, of Du Page, Illinois, the noted Percheron importer and breeder, 

 has, I learn, fed ensilage largely this season. Swine and poultry are also 

 reported as eating it readily and with good results. 



During the first excitement over ensilage it was claimed that it was a whole 

 ration. It is now demonstrated that to secure the best results clover hay, 

 oats, wheat bran, oil meal, or other nitrogenous foods should always be fed 

 in connection with corn ensilage. 



The same is true of dried corn fodder. The corn plant, green or dry, 

 stalk or grain, is not a well balanced ration, having too large a per cent of 

 carb-hydrates or fat formers. 



It will always pay to combine to a limited extent more nitrogenous foods 

 with our corn rations. The health and thrift of our animals will be secured 

 and they will give more liberal returns at the pail or in meat production 

 when fed in this manner. 



