748 



THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



It was estimated that approximately 130 tons of green sorghum were 

 dealt with. The following measurements were recorded six weeks after the 

 completion of the stack : — 



ft. in. 



A rough estimate of 32 lb. per cubic foot being accepted, the total weight 

 of the stack would be 113 tons. This estimate of 32 lb. per cubic foot was 

 arrived at by taking into consideration the shrinkage of the stack to about 

 two-thirds of its former size, and the actual weight of the cured silage, as 

 obtained at a later date, at 47-37 lb. per cubic foot. It is thus evident that 

 the original estimate of 130 tons of green crop was somewhat too large. 



Eight months later this stack was remeasured when curing was co'mplete 

 with following result : — 



ft. in. 

 Average length ... ... ... ... ... ... 26 9 



,, width ... 

 Height from ground to eavts 



ridge 

 Length of ridge ... 



Computed total volume 



19 6 



8 .6 



11 6 



24 



5,189 cubic feet. 



The stack was opened shortly afterwards, and as the centre was approached 

 measurements were again taken to ascertain approximately the waste. 



It was decided to allow for waste — 



18 inches all round the stack or the sides. 

 12 , , over the top or roof. 

 6 ,, for the floor or bottom. 



This reduced the measurements of available fodder, or good silage, to — 

 Length 2375 feet. 



The exact weight per cubic foot was next determined by carefully cutting 

 out a cube, measuring and weighing it — i.e., the cavity from which the 

 cube was removed was measured, and the cube weighed. This gave: — 



Contents of cube ... ... ... ... 6,925 cubic feet. 



Weight of cube 32S lb. 



Weight of 1 cubic foot 47-37 11). 



Using this weight per cubic foot, the total weight of the cured silage 



was — 



5,189 cubic feet x 47 '37 = 245,803 lb. = 109f tons nearly. 



Deduct the waste on the top, sides, and bottom, and the result is— 

 3,308 cubic feet x 47'37 = 156,700 lb. = 70 tons nearly. 



An examination of the 6 inches of waste on the bottom showed that while 

 the fodder was not equal in standard value to the other for milch cows, it 

 was readily eaten by dry stock, and hence 2| tons was added to the total 

 edible silage, bringing the total to 72| tons. 



