140 BOARD 015 AGRICULTURE. 



the third and sixth day after closing ; then a gradual cooling 

 ojff occurs, occupying three or four months. Even when silos 

 are opened at the end of five or six months, the contents are 

 often found somewhat warmer than the atmospheric air 

 outside. 



VI. — Removing Ensilage from the Silo and Feeding it. 



If a silo is of the approved form, with a comparatively 

 small surface, the whole cover is removed at once and the 

 ensilage taken out from the top, going over the entire surface 

 every day or two. This frequently exposes fresh material 

 to the air and prevents excessive fermentation and moulding, 

 which would otherwise occur. 



With a silo of difl'erent form and a door at the bottom 

 from which the ensilage is removed, it is usual to first tunnel 

 or mine the material around the door, and then secure a 

 vertical surface or wall of ensilage, the face of which is cut 

 from daily, as often done on a mow of hay. Although 

 moulding is somewhat greater in this way, there is compen- 

 sation in not beinoj obliged to remove wei2:hts and covers all 

 at once. There need be but a small top surface uncovered 

 at a time, and the weights and cover constantly moved back, 

 so as to keep all that has not been exposed, under constant 

 pressure. 



More or less loss from spoiling in the silo must be expected 

 whenever the air which enters from outside is above 60° F. 

 If the silo is to be used in warm weather, or its contents 

 carried over a season, it is much better to have it under- 

 ground, to keep at a low and even temperature. Ensilage 

 unused, or left over at the end of a feeding season, need not 

 be rejected or removed. It may be again re-covered and 

 weighted till wanted. Or, to lefill the silo, remove the 

 surface ensilage of the old lot until it is bright and fresh, 

 and refill on top of this. Ensilage has been preserved per- 

 fectly good at Fairview Farm, Brewsters, N. Y., for three 

 years, and other examples might be given to show that 

 ensilage undisturbed may be kept for years uninjured. 



The pungent odor and more or less acid taste usual to 

 corn ensilage fresh from the pit may be greatly modified by 

 loosening the material and exposing to the air, from six to 



