ENSILAGE ADAPTED TO WARM CLIMATES. 65 



small amount of fodder will be fed with the same speed 

 and regularity. 



Baldwin's fodder-cutter I believe to be the best cut- 

 ting machine for Ensilaging purposes on the market. 



I think tearing or shredding the stalks would be much 

 better than cutting. The fodder shredded must pack 

 closer, thereby giving less room for air. I have invented, 

 and am perfecting-, a machine which will cut and shred 

 fodder of all kinds, with the expenditure of one-half the 

 power all other machines I have seen require to do the 

 same work. I utilize a principle never before made use 

 of in fodder-cutters. I hope to have it completed, and 

 be able to furnish it in season for the Ensilaging of 

 the corn. To successfully preserve green fodder, three 

 things are essential : first, that the fodder shall be in as 

 fine a condition as possible so as to compact ; second, 

 that the Silos shall be air and water tight on the sides 

 and bottom ; third, that sufficient weight shall be placed 

 upon it in order to press out all or nearly all of the air. 

 If the air can be all forced out, there will be no fermen- 

 tation, and the Ensilage will keep indefinitely in the 

 same condition as when put into the Silo. In that case, 

 in order to receive the full benefit of the system of En- 

 silage, it will be necessary to pile up the Ensilage upon 

 the stable floor twelve to twenty- four hours, until active 

 fermentation takes place, before feeding, that the bene- 

 fits of fermentation may be secured as explained in the 

 following chapter. 



