542 Journal of Agricultural Research vol. xx, No. 7 



Lactic acid is present in very small amounts in many of the samples. 

 It is possible that more lactic acid is present in the early stages of fermen- 

 tation and that it is either changed into other acids or is decomposed. 

 An additional investigation is needed to explain fully the reason for the 

 small amounts of lactic acid in abnormal silage. The lactic acid present 

 is the racemic mixture. 



The fact that sample 8 contains the characteristic acids of normal 

 silage indicates that sugar beet tops can be successfully siloed if proper 

 precautions are taken to pack the tops well and exclude air. The sam- 

 ples of silage analyzed came from a pit silo ranging from iy 2 feet to 8 

 feet in depth. Without question, depth of the pit silo is an important 

 factor in the production of good silage. Where shallow silos are used, 

 air gains access to the greater portion of the beet tops and a poor silage 

 results, whereas, in the deeper silos there is less chance for the entire 

 silage to be partially spoiled on account of access of air. It is important, 

 then, to have a deep silo to eliminate dirt, and to pack thoroughly so as 

 to exclude air. These precautions will insure a better average silage 

 throughout the Northwest than is now found. 



SUMMARY 



(i) It is evident that the quality of sugar beet top silage put up by the 

 average Idaho farmer is very poor. 



(2) Large quantities of dirt are present, which could be eliminated in a 

 large measure by careful handling of the product during siloing. 



(3) To improve the quality of silage, pit silos should be deep and the 

 silage should be packed thoroughly and covered sufficiently to exclude 

 air. Excess dirt should be eliminated. 



(4) More care should be taken by the average farmer in siloing sugar 

 beet tops. While stock will eat silage that is very poor, there is a loss 

 of food value in improperly made silage as well as danger of mortality. 



