July 3, 1916 Rape as Material for Silage 533 



The classification of the samples as to general silage quality (A, B, C, 

 etc.) is necessarily approximate. All the samples, however, could be 

 classed as "good silage," except those rated below "D." Those con- 

 taining fibrous material, such as sorghum cane, Sudan grass, timothy, 

 and corn plant, would be useful for cattle, but would not be as good 

 feed for swine as pure rape silage, or the alfalfa, red clover, potato, or 

 corn-grain mixtures. The silage made from the entire rape plant was 

 quite similar to that made from the leaves. However, for swine too 

 much fiber is objectionable. 



The mixtures of rape with legumes are perhaps best, from the stand- 

 point of feeding as well as that of the quality of the silage. The rape im- 

 proves the mixture, in that it supplies the necessary fermentable carbohy- 

 drates, which apparently are deficient in amount in the legume. In this 

 connection it may be noted that since legume silage is not entirely satisfac- 

 tory, it may be greatly improved by adding 20 per cent or more of rape, 

 which would supply the necessary sugars. On general considerations 

 the indications are that this sort of silage should be useful for either 

 cattle, sheep, or swine. Practical farmers have sowed rape in the corn- 

 field at the time of the last cultivation, it later being ensiled with the 

 corn. This mixed silage has been fed to cattle with apparently good 



results. 



SUMMARY 



(1) Rape was successfully ensiled in glass jars, alone and in mixtures 

 with other materials. 



(2) Excepting one or two mixtures, this silage was palatable to swine. 



(3) Chemical examination of the samples showed the acidity and 

 alcohol content to be comparable in most cases to that of corn silage. 



(4) A mixture of rape and a legume produces the best quality of silage. 



