298 



BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



they all like it. If desired, it can easily be cured into a very 

 good grade of hay. 



SILAGE 



Silage is a feed more or less green and succulent, pre- 

 served in what is called a silo. Green feed is cut and stored 

 in the silo, where it goes through a process of fermentation, 

 with slight loss of its protein and carbohydrates. Under 

 fair management this loss need not be over ten per cent. 





Fig. 159. 



A cement silo on a dairy farm. 

 Farmer. 



Photograph by courtesy of The 



The silo is one of the most valuable things on the stock 

 farm, for in it feed can be stored more economically than in 

 any other way. 



Silage may be made from a variety of plants, but at the 

 present time corn is used nearly altogether. That is because 

 it combines the largest yield of the most easily stored forage 

 of all crops generally relished by stock. Sorghum, clover, 

 cow peas, soy beans, and alfalfa are sometimes used. With 

 the exception of sorghum, these plants are not always stored 

 in the silo with satisfaction, as they may heat badly and sus- 



