THE SILO, ITS USES AND HOW TO BUILD IT. 



(By R. M. Washburn, State Dairy Oommissoner.) 



It is not given that one man shall have all the useful experience. 

 Every man of deeds has experiences peculiar to his work and valuable 

 to all men in his line of work. Let us then add to our knowledge from 

 the experience of our neighbor , respecting his experience as we would 

 ask that he respect our soundly learned lessons. In these days of books 

 and papers, one man's success or failure may prove a blessing to thou- 

 sands. Let us, then, live in the present and improve our every oppor- 

 tunity to learn. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE SIU). '' 



1. Silage keeps young stock thrifty and growing all winter. 



2. It produces fat beef more cheaply than does dry feed. 



3. It enables cows to produce milk and butter more economically. 



4. Silage is more conveniently handled than dry fodder. 



5. The silo prevents waste of corn stalks, which contain about one- 

 third the food value of the entire crop. 



6. There are no aggravating corn stalks in the manure when silage 

 is fed. 



7. The silo will rnake palatable food of stuff that would not other- 

 wise be eaten. 



8. It enables a larger number of animals to be maintained on a 

 given number of acres. 



9. It enables the farmer to preserve food which matures at a rainy 

 time of the year, when drying would be next to impossible. 



10. In the south, where the rainy season destroys the exposed fod- 

 der, the silo will be found invaluable. 



HISTORY OF THE SILO. 



In Europe the silo has been known for hundreds of years. Ancient 

 writers tell us of the practice of burying grain and green food in un- 

 derground pits to preserve them from their enemies or against a poor 

 year. These pits were ten to twelve feet deep, and often as wide, with 

 bottom and sides made tight by plastering with clay. All manner of green 

 foods were preserved in these pits by pressing well and covering with 



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