28 SILOS, ENSILAGE AND SILAGE. 



sovereigns "for the best machine to reduce roots to a 

 pulp, " which brought out but a single machine for the 

 purpose at the Lincoln meeting in 1854. At the Chester 

 meeting in 188, "In the class of machines for pulping 

 or grating roots, there were no less than twenty-three 

 exhibitors, indicating that this description of machine is 

 not only highly approved, but is steadily increasing in 

 public favor. " * 



In 1859 a manufacturer of pulping machines published 

 a pamphlet giving the experience of over 400 farmers in 

 feeding pulped roots, in England, Scotland, and Ireland. 

 In most of these reports the new method of feeding is 

 praised in enthusiastic terms, and they resemble in their 

 claims the modern testimonials in regard to ensilage, 

 particularly as to the larger number of cattle that can be 

 kept under this system of feeding. 



As the root crop held an important place in British 

 farm practice, the pulping process was at first adopted 

 with the sole purpose of securing a better economy in the 

 feeding of roots, but it was soon observed that this was 

 one of the least advantages of the system, as the chaffed 

 hay and straw, or other coarse fodder, were improved in 

 feeding value, by the fermentation that took place when 

 mixed with pulped roots. In a supplement to an article 

 " On Pulping roots for Cattle food, " f the editor of the 

 Journal says, "Statements of experience have been 

 received from many who have adopted the practice of 

 pulping roots, and they almost universally assert its 

 economy and advantage. " 



From the number of published testimonials we copy 

 one, as representing a moderate view of the economy 

 claimed for the system, by the well-known writer, and 

 breeder of Hereford cattle, Mr. T. Duckbam, Baysham 

 Court, Herefordshire, who says: "The advantages of 



* Jour. Hoy. Agr'l Soc. 1858, p. 339. 

 t Jour. Roy. Agr'l Soc., 1859, p. 458. 



