Preserving Green Forage 61 



paper, and a 4^-inch rubber packing all around 

 the walls, making it air-tight. This was also 

 covered with 4 inches of damp sand. 



Two lines of 6 x 8 timber were placed the 

 length of the pit upon the cover, upon which 

 \vere placed 2-inch jack-screws under the 8x8 

 timbers through which the iron rods passed. 

 This arrangement, by reason of the elasticity 

 of the corn and the springing of the timbers 

 above the jack-screws, gave a continuous press- 

 ure, which was found to be ample and safe. 

 In this way, I was able to get an air-tight ex- 

 haust. All the air and gas had to come out 

 through the governor, giving an opportunity 

 for examination and taking the temperature 

 daily at different depths. At no time was the 

 temperature above 72 in the pit, which was 

 about the outside temperature when we com- 

 menced to fill. Carbonic acid appeared in the 

 pit the morning after the first day we cut, and 

 the next day acetic acid put in an appearance. 

 These, with air, were the only gases or vapors 

 that have come out of the pit; and these appear 

 perfectly pure, without any odor, something I 

 have never seen before in any silo. In fact, there 

 has never been any heat, fermentation, or foul 

 odor in the pit. Juice drawn from the bottom 

 is odorless ; and when, by long exposure to the 



