246 



Feeds and Feeding. 



merits of fodder corn dried in the ordinary way and preserved by 

 the system of ensilage. 



385. Relative losses in drying and ensilage. The following 

 table presents data gathered at several Stations relative to the 

 losses incurred in preserving green corn forage by shocking and by 

 ensilage. In these trials a quantity of fodder was cut and placed 

 in the shock or stook. In some cases the shocks remained in the 

 field untouched until winter ; in others they were made into 

 larger shocks, or were placed in the barn for protection. At the 

 time of cutting and shocking the corn, another equal portion from 

 the same field was placed in the silo. 



Relative losses incident to curing corn fodder by drying and ly en- 

 silage Various Stations. 



* Large shocks; 15.1 per cent, for small shocks. 



The figures show the range of losses which may occur by either 

 process of preserving fodders. It is evident that the systems, as 

 commonly practiced, possess about equal merit in the proportion 

 of nutriment they conserve. 



386. Necessary losses in silage. In considering the losses of 

 silage the waste found in the top layer, which acts as a cover for 

 the material below, has always been taken into account. This 

 loss is a constant one, being no more for a deep silo than for a 

 shallow one. By using fresh grass, wet chaff or other cheap ma- 

 terial for covering, or by beginning to feed from the silo imme- 

 diately after filling, the loss commonly occurring in the top layer 

 may be reduced or entirely avoided. 



