30 Colcord's System of 



THE CROP TO PRESERVE. 



Almost any kind of green forage can be 

 preserved in silos. The general conditions to 

 be observed, in putting it in the silo, are to 

 have it a homogeneous mass when pressed. 

 For this reason it should be cut fine, especially 

 when the stalks are coarse and hard like corn. 

 It is much better to have but one kind of fod- 

 der in the silo at the same time, for the reason 

 that the softest kind, if more than one variety 

 is used, will pack quicker, and hard enough to 

 prevent the escape of air and gas. The air 

 and gas will collect in spots, and set up heat 

 and fermentation ; but, if the mass is in uni- 

 form condition, evenly spread and pressed, the 

 air may all be removed from it without diffi- 

 culty, which will insure good preserved forage. 



There may be cases where there is a heavy 

 crop of coarse marsh grass, fresh or salt, which 

 does not require cultivation, and is convenient 

 to the silo, that would pay to cut up and pre- 

 serve, in which case it would greatly enhance 

 its value for feeding. 



There are sections at the South where some 

 heavy crops grow without cultivation that 

 would make good feed for cattle, and would 



