1884,] ENSILAGE. 399 



Of the exquisite beauty of the scenery to be viewed from Isola Bella, 

 only those who have visited this far-famed lake garden are in a position 

 to judge. Writers differ singularly in their opinions as to the island 

 itself. Matthews has spoken of it as ' the magic creation of labour 

 and taste — a fairy-land, which might serve as a model for the gardens 

 of Calypso ; ' and De Saussure as ' a magnificent caprice, a sublime 

 conception.' Hazlitt calls it ' a piece of confectionery hung about 

 with wreaths of flowers.' But who can deny that, garden and sur- 

 roundings together, Isola Bella forms one of the loveliest scenes in 

 Europe ? 



A. G. GUILLEMAED. 



ENSILAGE. 



, ESSES, r. W. EEYNOLDS & Co., of Edward Street, Black- 

 friars Eoad, S.E., are introducing a new system of weighting 

 silos, which bids fair to prove a great assistance in popularising 

 the method of preserving fodder for cattle. The present system of 

 weighting silos is by placing on them stones and heavy weights, but 

 the Messrs. Eeynolds have adopted and patented an ingenious and 

 efficient process of putting on a very much larger pressure, at the 

 same time obviating the necessity for providing and lifting so much 

 dead weight every time it is wished to remove the shutters for the 

 purpose of refilling the silos. Messrs. Eeynolds' system — which was 

 also demonstrated by the help of a model — is as follows : — A chain is 

 attached to the lower part of the wall of the silo in any suitable 

 manner, either by taking it through the wall with a plate and bolt 

 on the outside, or by weighting it in the ground with concrete or 

 attaching it to a beam. Exactly opposite, on the other side of the 

 silo, is a similar chain attached in the same manner. While the silo 

 is being filled, the ends of the chains are thrown over the walls. 

 After the material is put in the pit, covering boards are placed over 

 it, and a stout transverse beam is laid on the top, stretching from 

 side to side of the silo. In the ends of this beam are fixed brackets 

 to carry movable rollers, over which the ends of the chains from 

 either side are led. A chain-tightener is then hooked into the links, 

 and on turning the handle of the screw the ends of the chain are 

 drawn together, causing the beam and covering of the silo to sink, 

 so as to press the material. Pins are then inserted in the links of each 

 chain across the beam to hold it down, when the screw-tightener 

 can be made to take a fresh hold of the chain for further pressure 

 or be removed altogether. Any number of beams may be used, 



