lo Dec, 1908.) Silos and Silage. 725 



like to mention our appreciation of the services of Mr. Rvland, Silo Supervisor, 

 which were most valuable and instructive. We hope that our success may lead 

 others to follow as we have had many to see the silo and silage. 



The shute mentioned previously will overcome the second point 

 mentioned by Mr. JNIathieson. 



Capt. A. H. a'Beckett of " Ballintrae," Bunyip, writes in July, 

 1908, as follows : — 



I have been taking ensilage out of my silo for about a fortnight, feeding it 

 to cows and horses, about eight in all. The silo was a little over half full with 

 chaffed maize cut about seven-eighths of an inch long. On opening up the silo 

 there was about four inches of loss through insufficiency of weight on top. I have 

 not come across any mouldy patches. I used green saplings cut in foot lengths 

 to the extent of three and a half tons for weighting. The loss around the edges 

 was about ten inches; the only way I can account for this is through the lighter 

 portion or leaves working to the outside and consequently requiring more trampling. 

 I omitted to say that I put about a foot of straw under the wood blocks. I find 

 the ensilage to be excellent. My idea of weighting the silo is very convenient, as 

 the blocks can be put into the silo by means of the elevator. As the blocks dry 

 they can be used for firewood when finished with, 



Capt. a' Beckett's experience points tO' the advisability of the shute 

 in the silo ; the idea in weighting is a splendid one, more suitable perhaps 

 to the farmer who has his own saw bench. The length of the blocks 

 need not be limited to i foot as the space between the slats of the elevator 

 will easily accommodate lengths up to 22 inches. 



Messrs. Addinsall Bros, of Macarthur give the following report : — 



We filled the silo with chaffed Algerian oats mixed with about same quantity 



of trefoil. We were about seven days in filling it. We trampled it well and 



filled to within a few inches of the top. The remaining 5 or 6 inches we filled 



with wet chaffed barley straw. We weighted some time after filling, with 3 or 



4 tons of stones. We fed the silage to forty cows, also occasionally to two or 

 three horses. Ensilage lasted about seven weeks. It kept the cows in good 

 condition, also kept up the flow of milk but did not increase it. We commenced 

 feeding in February. We find that ensilage is indispensable in this district for 

 February and March. About a foot or more all around the side was mouldy, 

 though there was very little real loss as the cows ate the lot. There were mouldy 

 patches in or near the centre too, which we attribute to putting the stuff in too 

 dry, having had it cut in the paddock too long. We were late in the season getting 

 the silo erected, though we started filling the minute the elevator was up. About 



5 acres of crop filled our silo ; the crop was heavy, off volcanic soil. We do not 

 consider that our silo had quite a fair show, and we have every confidence of 

 doing better this year, by starting to fill earlier. 



The experience of the Department corresponds with that of Messrs. 

 Addinsall Bros., namelv, that the material will become mouldv in the 

 silo if it is too dry when put in. Watering during filling is a slight 

 pre\'entative : but it is best to cut the crop before the natural juices are 

 lost. Messrs. Addinsall Bros, have now doubled their fodder-conserving 

 capacity . 



Mr. H. G. Bvrne of Bvrneside writing in June last, gives his ex- 

 perience : — 



The ensilage is first class. On account of the great shortage of feed, I have 

 to use it sparingly so as to make it extend over this month and a part of next. 

 1 should certainlv have lost the greater part of my stock were it not for the silo, 

 or provide food at a price which would run me to an expense that would at least 

 be equal to their value. Horses are very fond of it, and as well as cows are fed 

 twice a day. As the cows are fed in the milking shed, there is no waste whatever. 



The crop used for Mr. Byrne's silo was maize and amber cane grown 

 (->n irrigated land. The value of his silo may be seen by his remarks. 



Messrs. J. McCallum & Sons of Kaniva reporting regarding their 

 silo say : — 



We filled the silo with 40 tons last November ; first Calcutta oats, next some 

 Bonanza oats, and finished up with some wheat, wild oats and thistles, Szc. The 



