282 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



This part of silage making is of such great impor- 

 tance that it is necessary to give it close attention. 

 Thoroughly and continually to pack the silage as 

 fast as it falls into the silo and to pitch and tramp 

 it all about the outer edges is the secret of making 

 good silage. Look after the packing well at the 

 outside, and the center will take care of itself. It 

 is this thorough packing that rids the silo of air spaces 

 around which decay later is found to have taken place. 



It is more difficult to pack the square than the 

 round silo. Hence the least carelessness here repre- 

 sents some loss in winter. In doing effective pack- 

 ing, keep the outer edges a little higher than the 

 center, but keep tramping and packing all the time. 

 This will force the air out as the filling process goes on. 



Feeding Silage. The quantity of silage fed de- 

 pends somewhat on the kind of forage used. Silage 

 made of clover, cowpeas or alfalfa contains more 

 protein than that made of corn. If either of the 

 former be used, from 15 to 20 pounds will be suffi- 

 cient for a daily feed. On the other hand, if corn 

 is used, from 25 to 50 pounds can be fed, 30 to 40 

 pounds being a good average. Silage can be fed 

 once or twice each day. If a small quantity is used 

 in the daily ration, the feeder should give silage but 

 once ; a larger quantity will require two feedings. 

 The feeding should be regular ; that is, every day, 

 so as to keep the top of the silo fed off to prevent 

 spoiling. One or 2 inches from the whole of the 

 top will prevent any decay. 



Feeding Silage After Milking. Silage should not 

 be fed during milking, but always afterward. When 



