4 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 362 



Since the molasses method is the one in most general use thus far, a detailed 

 description of it will serve as a general guide for those unfamiliar with the pro- 

 cedure of ensiling these crops. 



Details of Making Grass and Legume Silage with Molasses 



Suitable Crops 



Any of the annual or perennial grasses or legumes or the small grains may be 

 successfully ensiled, provided the>- are cut at the proper stage of maturity. 



Time oj Cutting 



For the grasses the best stage is before bloom, preferably soon after the flower- 

 ing head or spike has emerged from the sheath. For the legumes early bloom 

 seems best, certainly not any later than full bloom. Where mowings contain a 

 mixture of grasses and legumes, as they usually do, a happy medium will have 

 to be hit upon in order to average up the degree of maturity, as some of the species 

 bloom several da^s or even weeks earlier than others. The best time for first 

 cutting in the region around Amherst seems to be the first two weeks of June. 

 This may seem a bit early to farmers accustomed to ordinary haying, but what- 

 ever tonnage is lost by cutting before growth iscomplete, is compensated by smaller 

 losses in harvesting, by higher feed value of the younger crop, and by a heavier 

 second cutting. 



This past season (1938) silo filling with grass on the State College farm, was 

 begun on May 31 and finished on June 21, over two hundred tons of green hay 

 having seen stored in two large silos. 



It cannot be too strongly emphasized that mature grass does not make good 

 silage, especially if placed near the top of the silo. The weight at that point is 

 insufficient to pack it so all air will be excluded, and pockets of mold result. 



Moisture Content 



For the same reason the crop, even when cut at the right stage, should not be 

 allowed to remain in the field too long on a bright day, more especially spread 

 out in the swath. The best silage results when the moisture content of the crop 

 is between 60 and 75 percent. When it gets below 60 the same difficulty is en- 

 countered as noted above for mature grass. 



An immature crop that because of unforeseen circumstances has dried to less 

 than 60 percent moisture may, however, be safely used for silage provided it goes 

 into the bottom half of the silo, where it will be well packed and the juices from 

 the upper layers will seep down and be absorbed by it. Even this should not be 

 practiced with material containing less than about 50 percent of moisture. Water 

 added at the silo will help in such a situation, but the silage will not be of as high 

 a quality as if the crop had not been allowed to dry out to any extent. 



Excessive moisture is also undesirable since it means handling extra weight 

 and only drains out at the base of the silo. For this reason it is best not to try 

 to operate immediately after a heavy rain. Also if the crop is very succulent 

 (80 percent or more of moisture), as is the case sometimes with young legumes, 

 especially Ladino Clover, it is better to allow it to wilt before loading. 



A mount of Molasses 



This depends on the nature of the crop. Legumes with their high protein 

 content require more than grasses, as the tendency to rot is greater. Amounts 

 which have given general satisfaction are: 



