FARM DEPARTMENT. 251 



24. I certainly consider it both economical and satisfactory, and would 

 advise the building of silos. 



Mr. Garfield also adds : " I have had nearly thirty years' experience in 

 raising corn fodder, and now realize how much I have lost by not having 

 (until now) a proper place to store it for winter use. I have never wintered 

 my stock as cheaply as I have since feeding ensilage." 



E. L. LOCKWOOD, PETERSBURG, MICH. 



1. Summer of 1888. 



2. Of wood, above ground, 30x30x20. 



3. Corn only. 



4. Location, circumstances, the amount of work, the season, all would 

 modify the question of profit. I planted four varieties — Ohio, or large 

 Dent, Pride of the North, King Phillip, and very small Yellow Flint. This 

 permitted me to plant up to June 17, fully maturing before the heavy frost. 



5. Drills. 



6. From 6 to 10 quarts, according to variety. If the kernel is large and 

 the stalk small, more seed ; if kernel is small and stalk large, less. My corn 

 averaged an ear to each stalk, which I make the object. 



7. Fully mature ; beginning to glaze or dent. 



8. Ten tons. One acre of best land 30 tons. 



9. Estimated by your standard per cubic foot settled ensilage. 



10. No. 



11. Was seven days putting in 150 tons, but put in 40 tons in one day, 

 hoping to know for myself and not for another. Result, sour ensilage. Slow 

 filling saves lateral pressure, and makes sweeter ensilage by generating more 

 heat and settling closer. 



12. Ensilage will pack itself, except along the outside. We leave a pile 

 in the center each night as we stop cutting. This will heat rapidly. We 

 fill the corners with this and pack as close as possible. 



13. Used two thicknesses of boards, tarred paper between, last year. Shall 

 use only paper next year, with prairie hay, wet straw, chaff, mulch of any 

 kind, the heavier the better. 



14. Yes, if you can get the weight on cheaper than you can lose a few 

 inches of ensilage. 



15. Seventy-seven cents per ton, exclusive of rent for land. Expect to 

 make it for 50 cents next year. 



16. Three months. 



17. Perfect, except in two places where boards swelled and raised up, let- 

 ting the air fall upon the ensilage. This turned black to the depth of six 

 inches in from the end. About three feet further in from the end where the 

 air came in was a white mold. This, although apparently spoiled, was all 

 eaten by the cattle. 



18. It was taken out at one end to the depth of five feet at two opposite 

 corners to get at doors opening into mangers for feeding. The ensilage 

 being much looser on top than lower down, took the air, and would re-heat 

 at the edges. But what was left after taking off the top, leaving even sur- 

 face well packed, did not re-heat or spoil, being left 40 days exposed to 

 the air. 



19. Feed once a day, one bushel, mornings, four pounds mixed grain fed 



