252 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



is now open for discussion. We would be glad to hear from 

 any one who has had any practical experience, and who desires 

 to speak upon the subject. 



Mr. Ware. I would like to say a few words upon the 

 subject of the lecture this forenoon. It is well known that 

 for many years we have been discussing the subject of plant- 

 food, and we have learned, that, to furnish suitable plant-food, 

 we must have certain elements in proper proportions to meet 

 the demands of the plant ; and we have been led to inquire 

 from that whether the same principles might not apply to the 

 feeding of animals, for it is true that the principles which 

 govern vegetable life are in a great measure applicable to 

 animal life : therefore it is necessary to know how we can 

 feed our cattle in the most economical manner to secure the 

 results that we require. The lecture of the morning was 

 upon that subject : and to me it was exceedingly interesting 

 and valuable, because it came from one who, I understand, 

 is a man of scientific attainments, who has been very careful 

 in his experiments ; and he has given us substantially the 

 results of those experiments. That is what we are after. 

 What we want to know is, How can we feed our animals in 

 the most economical manner ? and how shall we s^et the food 

 in the cheapest and easiest way ? The subject of the differ- 

 ent kinds of food, and the mixtures of food, has been very 

 carefully gone over; and the results seemed to be very satis- 

 factory. He has indicated several sources of food, new to 

 many of us ; and no doubt they may prove very valuable 

 suggestions. That is of great importance ; and such a subject 

 cannot be discussed, of course, without touching upon the 

 subject of ensilage. That interests us exceedingly. Our 

 hopes have been raised very high, and from time to time 

 those hopes have been more or less disappointed. Last year 

 Professor Goessmann, whose opinions we respect, gave it a 

 blow that staggered me in my opinion of ensilage ; for I must 

 confess I had very high hof)es of it : but afterwards, by fur- 

 ther investigation, I learned that his statements last winter 

 were based upon analyses made by German chemists about 

 thirteen years ago of ensilage that was taken from silos built 

 upon the old plan ; that is, covered with earth, without any 

 c'utting up or any preparation. I have no doubt that ensihige 

 from such a silo would indicate as great a loss as was stated 



