1887.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 61 



the kernels were soft, their contents somewhat railky, and their 

 outside just beginning to glaze. 



Corn Ensilage. — Two silos of the same size, five by four- 

 teen feet, inside measure, and eleven feet deep, were used for 

 the experiment. In both instances the corn was cut into 

 pieces from one and one-quarter to one and one-half inches in 

 size ; they were, however, filled in a different way. 



Silo No. 1 was loosely filled, September 4, to about two- 

 thirds of its height, and the mass merely levelled without tread- 

 ing down. It was left in this condition without covering: 

 until September 7, at 8 o'clock a. m. At this time it had 

 settled from eighteen to twenty-four inches ; the odor of acetic 

 acid became slightly perceptible, and the pieces of cornstalk, 

 although sweet to the taste, showed an acid reaction to the 

 test-paper (litmus). 



Sept. 7, 8 A.M. Temperature at 12 inches depth, 147°, 145°, 147° F. 



" 8, 8 A.M. " " 12 " " 141°, 145°, 145° F. 



" 8, 8 A.M. " " 24 " " 136.5° F. 



" 8, 8 A.M. " " 30 " " 114° F. 



" 8, 8 A.M. " " 86 " " 107° F. 



As the temperature remained practically at a standstill, the 

 filling in of more fresh-cut corn was resumed, and the silo 

 completely yet loosely filled, September 8. A maximum reg- 

 istering thermometer was buried in the mass at a depth of two 

 feet from the surface, and light boards loosely laid over the 

 top. 



Sept. 10, 8 A.M Temperature at 12 inches depth, 129 , 127° F, 

 The mass had now settled eighteen inches. 



Sept. 11, 8 A.M. Temperature at 12 inches depth, 127°, 129°, 131° F. 

 " 12, 8 A.M. " " 12 " " 122°, 132° F. 



The mass had settled from twenty-four to thirty inches. 

 The temperature remained practically the same ; the mass was 

 carefully covered with tarred paper and tight-fitting boards, 

 and subsequently, on September 12, pressed down with twenty- 

 five barrels of sand. This silo contained about eight tons of 

 green corn fodder. 



