11-4 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



I think ensilage is undoubtedly a desirable addition to our 

 winter feed for our cattle. It is desirable to have some moist 

 food. Undoubtedly, the roots that are grown in many places 

 are a very desirable addition to the fodder of our stock dur- 

 ing the winter. It is possible that the ensilage may take the 

 place of root culture. I think, however, that the claims of 

 those who have adopted the system have been extravagant. 

 I think they have overrated its advantages. I do not think 

 there is any evidence to show that there is any considerable 

 improvement in the quantity of nutritive material that can 

 be obtained upon a given area, and it seems to me that they 

 lose sight of one point, — the relative advantages of this fod- 

 der cut green and the growing of the crop until it matures, so 

 that they have grain to feed with the stalks. Where farmers 

 are raising these large crops of fodder corn they have the land 

 in a condition that should yield at least fifty or seventy-five 

 bushels of corn to the acre, if not more, and it would be no 

 more than fair, in making the comparison with the ensilage, 

 to take that corn with the stalks and feed it. And it seems to 

 me, too, that in making the comparisons that have been made 

 this afternoon it is no more than fair to compare the cost of 

 your ensilage with the cost of any other crop ; with hay, for 

 instance, as one gentleman has suggested. Now, if you 

 figure up hay at twenty dollars a ton, that will be one thing 

 in regard to the matter ; but if you go west, where I have 

 seen hay sold for six dollars a ton, your figures would show 

 very differently in regard to the relative advantages of the 

 two systems. So that if you are going to compare ensilage 

 with any other cattle food it would certainly be fair to figure 

 up the cost of that cattle food, and compare that cost with 

 ensilage. 



I would state that we have a silo of masonry, made in the 

 best possible manner, for the purpose of testing the advan- 

 tages of ensilage at Houghton Farm. We have not yet 

 opened the silo, but shall do it before long. We have taken 

 steps to ascertain what is lost and what is gained. We shall 

 have the feed and experiment with it. Analyses will be 

 made by Prof. Johnson, in order that we may have all the 



