766 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



more than 50 per cent more cattle than we did before we had the silos, 

 and whatever the correct theory of the matter may be, this solid, hard 

 fact is sufBcient to satisfy us that very much more can be got out ©f the 

 corn plant fed in the form of silage than when fed dry in any manner 

 which is practicable with us. 



Second — Gains can be made cheaper with the corn plant in the form 

 of silage than when fed dry as shock corn. 



The average price of corn in the crib on the farms of Ohio during 

 a series of say ten years is probably not far from 40 ceiits per bushel. 

 This makes an acre of corn making fifty bushels worth $20.00. If the 

 same corn yields eight tons per acre of silage the value of the silage is 

 $2.50 per ton, and if no more expense has been put on the acre of corn 

 when put in the silo than when cut, husked, and cribbe"a, or fed out in the 

 usual way, the results from feeding each will be a true index of the rela- 

 tive cost of gains. Our experience has been that the cost of siloing the 

 corn is not as much as cutting, husking, and feeding, or marlieting the 

 corn in the usual way. The cash outlay with us in filling the silos runs 

 about 40 to 50 cents per ton. The cost of filling, however, is a m^atte^ 

 which will vary according to conditions and circumstances. Were we 

 putting up a less amount of silage, so that we would not have to hire 

 teams off the farm, the cost would be considerably less, and a small 

 force of men ' generally can be operated more economically than a larger 

 one. With cotton seed meal at $25.00 per ton (it usually costs us $24.00 

 to $24.50), and clover hay at $5.00 per ton, the cost of a day's feed for a 

 1,000-pound fattening steer (or any larger weight, for this is the max- 

 imum amount any steer ayUI eat) would be: Fifty pounds silage, at 

 $2.50 per ton, 4 cents; five pounds cotton seed meal, at $25 per ton, 6 

 cents; four pounds clover hay, at $5.00 per ton 1 cent; total 11 cents. 



This ration we have found will make a gain fully equal to or greater 

 than a half bushel per day of shock corn, or a less amount of corn and 

 all the clover hay tjie steer will eat, and at a very less cost. It is true 

 more g^n on hogs following cattle fed shock corn will be made, but 

 not nearly enough to make up the difference in the value of the two 

 rations. It must b eremembered too, that considerable benefits to hogs 

 following cattle fed silage and cotton seed meal will accrue. Hogs grow 

 and do well with no feed but the droppings, although a less number can 

 be carried than with corn-fed cattle. Our gafeis on cattle thus jfed on 

 silage during feeding periods ranging from four to seven months have 

 been from 1.75 to 2.5 pounds per day, and we find that they finish much 

 more evenly, the hair and general appearance are much bettet than corn- 

 fed cattle, and especially than cattle which are fed only shock corn. 

 Fewer cattle get off fed or scour. In fact, such a thing has almost been 

 unknown to us among the silage-fed cattle. 



Third — Silage is especia'lly well adopted to carrying stock cattle 

 through the winter. , 



All that is necessary for stock cattle, where good sheds are provided. 

 Is silage and clover, alfalfa or oat hay, and you may expect gains of 50 

 pounds per month on cattSe of fair quality. A striking example occutr^d 



