730 Journal of Agriculture. [lo Dec, 1908. 



otherwise when silage is being made in the pits. The objection that seepage 

 will find its way intO' the pits and so destroy their contents, is robbed of 

 its significance here, for a stratum of loose sand is met with a few feet 

 below the surface providing ample drainage. Where the ground is of such 

 a nature as to hold water, a small well is sunk in the lowest part of the 

 fit. This is covered with slabs or even filled with straw, and has proved 

 eminentlv satisfactory. 



So convinced is Mr. Hay of the value of the silage that at the time of 

 my visit 15 large pits had already been constructed and others are con- 

 templated. These will store something like 3,000 tons. In one paddock 

 31, men were actively engaged with the necessary machines and hor.ses in 

 providing for the future. Handled in large quantities in so methodical a 

 manner, the cost per ton is low. 



Last season will long be remembered as one of the most serious that 

 the pastoralist and farmer have had to contend with. Owing to the 

 deficient rainfall there was a very considerable shortage of fodder. 

 Excessively high prices for hay and chaff ruled, and stock literally died 

 b\ thousands. Those flocks and herds that were kept in anything like 

 condition cost their owners almost fabulous sums. By means of a little 

 forethought and such provision as has been described, Mr. Hay not only 

 saved his stock, but kept all in excellent condition. This is evidenced bv 

 the fact that during the height of the drought, large drafts of fat bullocks 

 were sold at highly remunerative rates. While there was no natural 

 fcibage 7,000 weaners were kept in splendid condition for several months 

 at a minimum cost on silage. There was no break in the wool, and their 

 growth was satisfactory and rapid. Working bullocks doing i i hours 

 di'ily of heavy excavation, actual 1\- put on condition on their ration of 

 silage, and enabled the teams to be reduced on the same work. While 

 other less provident pastoralists were expending enormous sums for fodder, 

 often of an inferior kind, or were renting grazing' rights in remote districts, 

 Mr. Hay had already provided, at moderate cost, the necessary foodstuffs 

 from his own land. This not only enabled the stock to tide o\er rom- 

 fortably a most trying period, but the estate was not robbed of the fer- 

 tilising influence (which can hardly be overestimated) of large numbers of 

 I'erbivorous animals. 



No farmer or grazier is safe unless he has at least six months" fodder 

 conserved for a period of emergency. Stored in the form of hay, there 

 is imminent risk of loss bv fire, and material can be*utilized for silage that 

 is utterly unsuitable for hay. In a season of luxuriant growth there is 

 considerable risk of grass fires when the herbage becomes dry. Stored 

 uiuler the conditions described these risks are avoided, as the rank growth 

 i= removed and saved. The results afford a striking object lesson. Bv 

 bitter experience — that deare.st but best of all teachers — we are gradually 

 learning and ere long such methods of conservhig fodder will become 

 general and usher in the pastoralists' millennium. The writer's thanks are 

 heartily tendered to Air. H. A. Hay for much valuable time given, and 

 I'seful information so courteously imoarted. 



III.— SILAGE FOR DAIRY CATTLE. 



/. .S". McFadzeaii, Dairy Supervisor. 



Every form of life that we have any knowledge of is luiilt up of 

 countless small living m,asses of micro-organic or protoplasmic formation 



