lo Dec, 1908. J Silos and Silage. 723 



Lambing ewes have also benefited greatly where silage has been fed, 

 as can be seen from the reports of the sheep owners who fed silage. The 

 silage stimulates the ewes to produce a good flow of milk, the result 

 being a healthy fast-growing lamb. 



The principal crop used up to December, 1907, was oats ; the 

 varieties being Algeriao, Calcutta, and varieties of white oats. Mixed 

 crops such as peas and oats, barley and oats, have also been con- 

 verted into silage with even greater success than the single crop, the 

 reason being that the food constituents were more varied. It is doubtful 

 whether winter cereal crops have been used for silage to the same extent 

 in any countr\ as in our own State. The fodder crop which has given the 

 best result is maize, and there is no doubt that this crop, where it can 

 be grown successfully, is specially adapted for the silo, on account of 

 the small acreage required, and also because of the solidity of the stems 

 of the plant, which, by not harbouring any air, helps to a great extent 

 to reduce losses and so save valuable food material. 



It is interesting to note the increasing number of silos erected by 

 farmers apart from those instances where the assistance of the Department 

 has been given. The majority of these are overground, and are built on 

 the principle adopted by the Department, namely, the circular wood 

 and iron t\ pe whirh has been found to be the most serviceable. Numerous 

 concrete silos, both solid and hollow walls, have been built and also a 

 number of the type known as the "Russell '' silo. 



The effect that a silo has in awakening interest in the surrounding dis- 

 trict is very noticeable. Perhaps the most striking case is in the Pcowong 

 district. Early in the present year, an 80-ton silo was erected for Mr. 

 J. R. Mathleson, and filled from an area of 4 acres of maize. The 

 operations of filling and emptying the silo ^\■ere closely watched by 

 surrounding dair\men, with the result that four farmers within a short 

 radius of this silo have applied for Departmental assistance, and silos 

 will be built to hold the growing summer crops. Mr. Mathieson has 

 since decided tO' erect a second silo of a 100 rons capacity . 



Since June last six farmers have doubled dieir fodder conserving 

 capacity by building a second silo. 



A striking instance of the value of silage in the Western District is 

 worthy of mention. Messrs. Sa\in Bros., of Macarthur, first erected a 

 60-ton silo, the capacit}- of which was soon increased to 100 tons. The 

 returns of milk supplied to the factory from the same cows for the month 

 of June, 1907 and 1908, were ^5 and ^^25 respectively. Of course, 

 allow-ance must be made, owing to scarcity, for an increased price for the 

 milk, but nevertheless the difference in the amount is striking and leaves a 

 wdde margin due to the fodder saved in lhe silo. JSIessrs. Savin Bros, 

 have now erected a second silo of 100-ton capacity. 



Useful Hints in Filling. 



Endeavour to secure the crop when it contains as much nutriment and 

 natural juices as possible. Generally speaking, this is attained with 

 \vinter cereal crops w'heh the grain is well formed l>ut still in the milky 

 stage ; with maize, sorghum, and the like, when the grain is formed 

 and in the glazed stage. 



Set the chaffcutting plant well, paying some attention to the elevator 

 which should be set up squarely and attached to the chaffcutter so that the 

 material will run directlv into it without unnecessary openings for 



