754 the farmers' handbook. 



be obtained by regular attention to some form of winding gear, which 

 can be successfully operated from the ends of logs embedded beneath the 

 foundation of the stack, the weight being applied by the usual wire ropes 

 and distributed over the surface of the stack by means of a framework of 

 light poles ; but almost anything that can be easily and conveniently handled 

 (such as logs, stones, bags of sand, or even loose earth) will give results more 

 or less satisfactory. Whatever system of weighting is adopted, it is essential 

 that the pressure be evenly distributed over the stack surface, and that a 

 thick layer of grass or straw be placed directly on top of the silage. The 

 stack can be further protected by a layer of grass on top of the weighting 

 material, and by ridging this last layer well down the centre of the stack, 

 an unbroken surface is presented to the weather. Experience indicates that 

 this additional covering requires no holding in position except in exposed 

 situations, as under the usual North Coast weather conditions, the grass 

 "mats "very rapidly; where necessary, however, a few strands of fencing 

 wire wdll give all the support necessary. When loose earth is used for the 

 top-weight the need for the upper covering is avoided, but the low 

 protective layer should be increased in thickness to prevent ingress of soil 

 from above and poles laid around the top of the stack to hold the earth in 

 position. For obvious reasons this system of weighting is not recommended 

 when any other is available. 



PIT SILOS* 



As a comparatively inexpensive and quite effective way of conserving 

 fodder the pit silo is preferred by many farmers in western districts, includ- 

 ing the managers of one or two experiment farms. The cost of excavating 

 the pit is not great, and the loss of material is very much less than in the 

 open stack, provided, of course, that a thoroughly suitable site is chosen 

 and that the material is properly filled in so as to exclude air. Moreover, 

 the pit is very easily filled, the teams and drays being drawn through for 

 the material to be unloaded, and thus each time trampling down what has 

 been previously deposited. 



In days when stock were cheap the cost of carrying them through drought 

 periods was almost prohibitive. But now, when sheep are worth from 20s. 

 to 30s. per head, it is a good business proposition to take steps to save them, 

 as even with feed at abnormal prices such a course is usually cheaper in the 

 end than the cost of re-stocking later. Most graziers recognise this fact, and 

 have made every endeavour to carry their stock through by paying high 

 prices for agistment or the purchase of feed. To cope successfully with 

 droughts, however, it is necessary that provision be made during good years, 

 as unless this is done the amount of stored fodder in the country when dry 

 conditions prevail will be totally inadequate. During droughts the few who 

 have reserves of fodder are handsomely rewarded for their foresight ; but if 

 farmers could be certain of receiving for forage each year a return which 

 would ensure them a reasonable profit, they would be well satisfied to grow 

 forage for sale purposes. 



A very sound policy for the large sheepowners to adopt would be an 

 arrangement on their part with neighbouring farmers to grow and store 

 for them fodder in normal years, with delivery to be made when the necessity 



* s A. H. E. McDonald, Chief Inspector of Agriculture. 



