110 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



have adopted the use of ensilage. We have put in quite a 

 number of lar^e silos. We are fornishing our cows with 

 their food at from one-third to one-half less expense than 

 before, and the quality of the product has not been dimin- 

 ished in the least. I have made experiments, and find that 

 ensilage makes an exceedingly fine quality of butter. It is 

 like June butter at all times of the year. We have found it 

 to be successful, and I would recommend it to any farmer 

 who wants to make dairying profitable. We estimate that 

 the value of a ton of hay which will bring $15 in the 

 market can be produced in ensilage for from $5 to $10. 

 This has been proved time and time again. 



Mr. C. M. Bull (of Springfield) . I would like to ask 

 the governor how long he has been operating under the 

 Babcock test ? 



Ex-Governor Hoard. Since 1891. 



Mr. Bull. Do you find that the per cent of fat increases ? 



Ex-Governor Hoard. Yes. 



Mr. Bull. Do you find that there is any perceptible dif- 

 ference in the amount of fat contained in the cream in the 

 months of May and June ? 



Ex-Governor Hoard. Not so much then, because so 

 large a number of the farmers are alike in their methods of 

 feeding at that time. 



Mr. Bull. Do you have rules under which you ask your 

 patrons to feed? 



Ex-Governor Hoard. We get along with as few rules as 

 possible. We enforce quality by saying "We cannot take 

 that milk." 



Mr. Bull. What is the extreme in the per cent of fat? 



Ex-Governor Hoard. I do not think I understand your 

 question. 



Mr. Bull. I mean what is your lowest per cent? 



Ex-Governor Hoard. We do not bar out any man even 

 if he brings us milk that furnishes only 2 per cent of fat. 

 His milk is received, because he is paid according to the 

 deeds done in the body. He gets no more accordingly than 

 if he brings 6 per cent milk. 



Mr. Bull. Is 6 per cent very high? 



