SILOS AND SILAGE 



257 



334. Filling the silo. The corn or sorghum may be harvested 

 by hand or with a corn binder. Harvesting with a binder is 

 both economical and convenient. A low-down rack or truck for 

 hauling the green forage from the field will effect a large saving 

 of labor (Fig. 123). 



The green material should be cut into about half-inch lengths 

 and elevated or blown into the silo (Fig. 124). The silo may 

 be filled quickly, allowed to settle a week or ten days, and 

 refilled ; or it may be filled more 

 slowly, allowing the silage to set- 

 tle as the filling progresses. It 

 is important to include as much 

 silage as possible, not only to use 

 the room to the best advantage 

 but also to insure the silage keep- 

 ing with the least loss. The most 

 important operation connected 

 with silage-making is the even 

 distribution and packing of the 

 material as the silo is filled. If 

 the coarse, heavy pieces, such as 

 the stalks and ears, are allowed 

 to accumulate on the side of the 

 silo farthest from the cutter, where 

 they are naturally thrown, and the 

 loose, light material, such as the 

 leaves, tassels, and husks, is permitted to accumulate on the side 

 next to the carrier or blower where it will naturally fall, the 

 silage will settle unevenly and will not keep well. It will also 

 lack uniformity in quality and cannot be fed without danger of 

 underfeeding on one day and overfeeding on another. Numer- 

 ous simple devices for scattering the material uniformly have 

 been invented, but in any case a reliable man, and usually two 

 men, should be stationed in the silo to mix thoroughly the 

 heavy and light materials and to tramp the silage, especially 

 along the walls. 



FIG. 125. Taking silage from the 

 pit silo 



