SILOS, ENSILAGE AND SILAGE. 77 



of the square and saw can do the work, if he has clear 

 ideas of what he wishes to accomplish and works on a 

 definite plan. The aim should be to build a tight box, 

 or chamber, open at the top, with double walls that are 

 proof against vermin, and the whole made durable by the 

 liberal application of the coal tar compounds. 



CHAPTEE VII. 



FODDER CHOPS FOB ENSILAGE. 



All green crops like clover, lucerne, rye-grass, etc., 

 etc., may be preserved in the silo, but the American 

 cereal, Indian corn, has many advantages in this climate 

 that will undoubtedly make it the staple crop for ensi- 

 lage throughout the United States. From the large 

 yield per acre under favorable conditions, and its value 

 as cattle food when properly grown and managed, it can 

 have no successful competitor as a green forage crop, on 

 a large majority of the farms in this country. 



As the principles involved in the ensilage of all fodder 

 crops are the same, we will confine our attention to the 

 ensilage of maize, without stopping to notice the details 

 of special treatment required in the ensilage of crops of 

 subordinate interest. Too often mistakes are made in 

 the cultivation of fodder corn which seriously detract 

 from its feeding value. 



The conflicting opinions expressed in the agricultural 

 papers in regard to the value of fodder corn as feed for 

 cows giving milk, furnish an illustration of the import- 

 ance of directing our attention to methods of cultivation, 



