lo Nov., IQ09.] Silos and Silage. 683 



■of burning does considerable injury to the surface soil by destroying its 

 humus content ; with the result that it dries very quickly in the warmer 

 weather, and only well -rooted crops can withstand even the moderate heat 

 that is experienced here in the summer. On the other hand, irrigation of 

 the land is easily effected by diverting water from the numerous mountam 

 streams ; and abundance of fodder can be grown in this way. Owing 

 to the labour of clearing, some years usually elapse before a .settler here 

 has much extent of cultivated ground ; and only during the summer and 

 early autumn months can any profitable returns be obtained from dairy 

 stock meanwhile. Under these conditions, the best milking stock have 

 usually the hardest struggle for existence. The short-season milking cow 

 ceases to be productive sufficiently early in the autumn to enable her to put 

 on some condition before the cold weather sets in. But the good dairy 

 animal continues to give milk for a much longer period, and the winter 

 comes before she has a chance to fit herself for it. Unless winter feeding 

 is practised therefore the best of the dairy cows soon perish, and only the 

 inferior stock remain. Where cows are fed whilst being milked this 

 calamity is avoided ; for the longer they continue in milk, the longer their 

 feeding term lasts. They are thus kept in better order, and are enabled to 

 make a good showing in consequence when thev next come in. 



Among dairv farmers everywhere the use of the silo is making towards 

 ;a general improvement of the stock. Systematic feeding gives the best cows 

 a chance to show what they are capable of ; and those which do not milk 

 -well for more than a few months each year are the more easily noticeable. 

 Under regular feeding the beefy cow tends to fatten and turn to profit 

 as butcher's meat ; while the dairy type of cow will give her pro-fit through 

 the milk bucket. The dairy-farmer therefore runs no risk whatever by the 

 regular feeding of his stock, as it in every way increases their value. 

 Also, without a proper system of feeding, culling is of little use. The pro- 

 viding of a sufficiency of succulent food for the stock throughout the 

 autumn and winter months is thus unquestionablv the most effective step 

 towards the improvement of dairv-farm returns. 



SILOS AND SILAGE. 



A. S. Kenyan, C.E., Engineer for Agriculture. 

 {Continued from -page 671.) 



Several interesting letters from farmers making and using silage will 

 to be found in the October issue of the Journal. Two others, held over 

 owing to want of space, are now published. 



Mr. R. Faragher, Koroit, finds oaten silage not so good as grass. This 

 is particularly the case in such a district. It must be always remembered 

 that siloing a crop does not alter its feeding value, merely preserves it. 

 Oats, whether fed as green stuff, as silage, or as hay, will never equal 

 natural grasses at their best in the spring time: — 



" I filled the silo in November last with Algerian oats. At the end of Decem- 

 ber I started feeding to 40 cows. The grass at this time was drying off very 

 rapidly, but I must confess I was rather disappointed with the result so far as 

 "keeping up the milk supply was concerned. I found it not nearly equal to 

 green grass ; our grass is of a very rich nature, being rye grass and clovers. 

 Otherwise, I was quite satisfied with silage. It kept the cows in fine condition 

 with verv sleek healthy appearance, far superior to hay which often causes im- 

 paction in dry summers. The loss through damaged sides was very slight, and 



