CM: I \l AM) KuDHKB CROPS 161 



regulated by the amount of ensilage to be stored away. 

 Before the fodder is jmt into the silo it should be cut 

 up, as in this way a much greater quantity can !>»• stored, 

 and the air more thoroughly excluded. Alm<»t any 

 of the green crops may be used to make ensilage, but 

 corn fodder eat green has been found to be the best 

 crop for the purpose. The crop is best cut after the 

 ears of corn have formed, but before the grains have 

 become hard. If the crop is cut too early the ensilage 

 is apt to become too acid or sour, and if cut when the 

 crop is mature it is somewhat hard and dry. 



Just bow the ensilage is preserved in the silo is not 

 thoroughly understood, but the simplot explanation 

 is as follows: When the ensilage is first stored in the 

 silo it begins to heat, and the whole mass in a com- 

 paratively short time becomes thoroughly warm. Heat- 

 ing always takes place when freshly cut green fodder 

 of any kind is heaped together* Some of the countless 

 bacteria that are promt in the air or in Use plants 

 themselves are inevitably packed away with the ensi- 

 lage, and when the mas« begins to heat they begin to 

 w«>rk, censing fermentation, the firsl step towards 

 . These bacteria are supplied with oxygen by the 

 air that fills the spaces in the mass of ensilage. But the 

 heat generated axpandi this air and causes much 

 to escape through the top of the mass. The ensilage 

 settles and more air is driven out. Between the loss 

 of escaping air and that used Dp by the bacteria them- 

 lelves, tin- rappty is soon exhausted, and owing to a lack 

 of oxygen the bacteria cease to work and the ensilage 

 is preserved from further decay. The mass of ensilage 

 11 



