lo Jan., 191--] Si/os and Silage. 



milk. It is tor these reasons that the silo is recommended to the farmer- 

 so that the surplus growth of spring may be carried on in the same suc- 

 culent condition to a leaner time. Dry fodder never ecjuals the rich 

 spring growths. No other method of fodder conservation can hope to- 

 approach the rational one of ensiling, for by that all the succulent juices 

 are retained, the fibre is .softened, and little of the food properties are- 

 lost; while, by dry curing the fodder, all the natural juices are lo.st. 



No fodder is relished .so much by stock as silage. Its influence is 

 very beneficial to the animal sy.stem, is invigorating, and prevents cripples 

 and impaction. Succulent silage makes for gcwd health and heavy 

 milk flow^ 



With the help of a silo a farmer can take two crops off the same area 

 in a year, for when a crop reaches the right stage of maturity it can be- 

 chaffed direct from the field into the silo, leaving the land free to be 

 manured, prepared, and sown with a succeeding crop for silage. 



The silo enables a farmer to make good use of all undesirable growths 

 on the farm and to eradicate objectionable weeds ; seed of anv kind that 

 has passed through the mild fermentation which goes on in a silo will not 

 germinate. Silage made from any fodder can therefore be fed to animals 

 without fear of spreading weeds. 



It is safe from the ravages of birds and vermin. There is no danger 

 from fire, and when properly made it will remain in a tempting easily 

 digested condition for years. 



In times of drought, as many animals die of impaction as of star- 

 vation for the system is imable to deal continuously with toughened hard- 

 to-digest fodder with the con.sequent result that death takes place, whereas 

 had the crop been converted into silage a soft succulent easilv digested 

 fodder would have been available to tide the animals over the period of 

 scarcity. 



Crops can be ensiled at their best and placed ready for feeding at 

 any time. On farms where green fodder crops are grown, and where 

 ensiling is not practised, it is necessary to start carting the fodder for 

 succuleiit feed before it is at its best. In many cases where the crop 

 is an autumn one, reaping is continued into winter long after the crop 

 has reached maturity and been damaged by frosts. The loads must of 

 a necessity be light to enable the horse to pull it out of the paddock. 

 The land is cut into ruts, making ploughing the following spring very 

 difficult, whereas if this crop had been ensiled it could have been left 

 till it reached the right stage of maturity and then ensiled in the long 

 (lays when it is pleasant to work and when the ground is firm. The 

 silage is ready for feeding in the short days of winter and unpleasant 

 tasks are escaped. 



Every year, in all parts of the State, there is a shortage of succulent 

 fodder, from late summer to early spring, but by the aid of the silo 

 cattle can, with profit, be tided over this time of stress. The dairy 

 returns can be kept up — prices for dairy produce are highest in the 

 lean times. 



Silage therefore keeps up the dairy returns, keeps the stock healthy 

 and thriving, enables the farmer to carrv more stock, spurs him on to 

 better efforts in all his farming pursuits by increasing the profits of the 

 farm and aids in keeping up the fertility of the soil. No one who has 

 fed silage to his stock would hesitate a moment before stating that a- 

 farm is not complete without a silo. 



