ENSILAGE. 95 



nitrogen was only 29 per cent, of the total. It is evident 

 that large mangels or turnips, produced by liberal 

 manuring, are less nutritious than smaller roots. Potatos 

 do not deteriorate in quality as they increase in size. 



In the case of hay the composition is further affected 

 by the conditions of haymaking, and by the subsequent 

 changes in the rick. Grass that has suffered from rain 

 during haymaking will contain less soluble matter (carbo- 

 hydrates and albuminoids) than well-made hay ; this loss 

 will be greatly increased if the hay has been long in the 

 field, and undergone fermentation as well as washing. 

 The changes which take place in the rick are seen on a 

 larger scale in the process of ensilage. 



When green fodder is stored in a silo the mass be- 

 comes hot from oxidation, a loss both of water and solid 

 matter takes place, carbonic acid and other gases being 

 evolved. If the green fodder has been cut small, and 

 compressed by weights as soon as it was placed in the 

 silo, oxidation is at a minimum ; under these circum- 

 stances alcoholic, lactic, and butyric fermentation sets in 

 more or less strongly, and " sour silage " is produced. 

 If, on the other hand, the silo is filled gradually, and a 

 few days elapse before the weights are applied, the tem- 

 perature rises much higher, owing to the greater bulk of 

 air enclosed. If the mass is weighted as soon as 140 

 160 Fahr. is reached, " sweet silage " will result, the 

 high temperature having been fatal to the living organ- 

 isms which produce an acid fermentation. In making 

 silage the loss of solid matter falls chiefly on the carbo- 

 hydrates. The total nitrogen is scarcely altered in quan- 

 tity, but a considerable part of the albuminoids is de- 

 stroyed, the nitrogen being found in the silage as amides, 



