PEEFACE. 



The literature of ensilage consists, in the main, of 

 the experience of individuals under a great variety of 

 conditions, and the inferences or impressions derived 

 from a limited range of observation, as recorded in Ag- 

 ricultural reports and papers. 



In experiments relating to the chemistry of ensilage, 

 the factors of dominant interest, so far as the cause of 

 the changes taking place in the fodder are concerned, 

 have been almost entirely neglected, and but little real 

 progress has been made in our knowledge of the econo- 

 mies of the silo. 



From a practical standpoint it seems desirable, at the 

 present time, to collate the well known facts in regard 

 to the practice of ensilage and bring them into some 

 consistent relation with definite principles, in harmony 

 with the latest developments of science. 



This will not only aid the farmer in deciding upon the 

 best methods of practice, but it will clear the way for 

 needed scientific investigations, by suggesting and defin- 

 ing the lines of research that may be profitably followed 

 to obtain a consistent explanation of the complex changes 

 taking place in the ensilage of fodder. 



, Michigan, June, 1889. 



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