714 DR. CEASE'S RECIPES. 



change in condition in a few days. The molasses is not only an excellent con- 

 diment, but an excellent food; and being so soluble and assimilable that it pro- 

 duces an immediate effect upon the condition of the animal. Three pints may 

 be fed to fattening animals per day, but to cows and breeding stock it must be 

 fed sparingly, and not more than 1 pint per day to a cow, as too much sweet 

 will prevent their breeding. When necessary to use straw for fattening stock, 

 the use of molasses diluted with 8 to 10 proportions of water to wet the straw 

 before steaming, will be found to render it very palatable, and cause it to be 

 eaten, incorporated with other fattening food, as readily as hay. Some noted 

 chemists have supposed all starchy food to be converted into sugar by the action 

 of the stomach, before it becomes assimilated as food. Perhaps this will 

 account for the remarkable effect of sweet food upon animals. 



Remarks. — The word condiment really means something to give an increased 

 appetite, and a relish for other articles of food; and there is no doubt but what 

 this plan of wetting the cut hay, corn stalks, or other articles of dry food, with 

 sweetened water, as we will call it, does have this remarkable effect, as Mr. 

 Stewart says, in fattening, and no doubt would also have the same effect in 

 feeding generally; unless the question of silos and ensilage shall mark a gen- 

 eral revolution in the whole subject of feeding. Of course that we must leave 

 each one to judge for himself, after duly considering the whole matter, which 

 we shall now lay before him. Bear this in mind, however, the food is found 

 to be sweeter for having been put into silos — this molasses plan, to a certain 

 extent, will, no doubt, help those who have not a silo, as yet, ready for use. 



SILOS AND ENSILAGE— Full Explanation to Build— What 

 Crops are Best Adapted— Twenty-Six Questions and Answers. 

 — Probably there has been no subject of more interest to the farmers which has 

 been discussed more fully, and yet, upon wliich there was so much doubt as to 

 whether it was really valuable or not, as that of silos and ensilage; and that 

 doubt might not even yet have been made very clear, had not the government, 

 through the agricultural department, taken it up, and through Mr. D. M. Nes- 

 bit, proceeded to make an investigation into it, by addressing letters to well- 

 known specialists, living in different states, and also in Canada, putting no less 

 than twenty-six questions, which embraced all the vital points, and asking a 

 free discussion upon all the points, which could be of general use, in understand- 

 ing the whole subject. The questions were all numbered, and were aU answered 

 satisfactorily, and in such a manner, that each answer related to the number 

 of the question, and could thus be readily understood, by referring back to 

 the number of the question; but to put it in book form, it will be better to put 

 first, the question, and the answer immediately following, hence I shall adopt 

 this plan, for the better understanding of the matter by our readers. The sub- 

 ject was published in the Toledo Blade, September 22d, 1882. Of course it was 

 not possible to publish the whole of the letters received, in the newspapers, so a 

 summary was prepared by the Department of Agriculture, which will give a fair 

 idea to those interested, as to the value and profitableness of giving a fair trial, 

 by those who have not already done so, of the silo. The question will first be 

 given then the summary or condensed answer, immediately following : 



I. Q. What is the best location of silo, with reference to feeding-rooms ? 



A. A few have been built at a distance from the stables, but generally th« 



