GRASS SILAGE 7 



three short lengths of 2" pipe with one 135-degree and one 90-degree elbow; a 

 1 nipple and bushing; a large funnel; a pipe wrench; and an expansion bit. 



Three or four casks of molasses are loaded on the wagon, which is then backed 

 into position as shown in Figure 3, one of the casks is elevated further by means 

 of short planks laid across the wagon box, a hole is bored as near the chime as 

 the hoops will permit, the pipe is threaded in, and, with the valve for control, 

 all is in readiness. 



The molasses may be added undiluted, straight from the original cask, or it 

 may be mixed half and half by volume with water. The former practice means 

 less labor and a cleaner job; but unless feeding of the cutter is slowed up to some- 

 what less than its maximum capacity, undiluted molasses will not flow fast 

 enough, especially on cool days, to supply the amounts needed for clover and 

 alfalfa (75 lb. per ton). 



In such a situation an extra man is needed to carry water, measure molasses 

 from a stock cask to a mixing cask, and keep the mixture thoroughly stirred. 

 However, the time saved by the rest of the crew, both at the silo and in the field, 

 because of maximum load at the cutter, will more than offset the labor of this 

 extra man. The set-up in Figure 3 is for such an emergency, which will not 

 arise when only 40 pounds of molasses per ton is required, as is the case for grasses 

 and small grains. 



Regulating the Flow of Molasses 



There is a knack to this that can be acquired only by experience. Temperature, 

 head of molasses in the cask, size of pipe, and rate of feeding the crop to the cutter, 

 are all factors that have to be reckoned with. Since these vary from farm to 

 farm, and, in the case of temperature and head of liquid, from time to time during 

 the day, the amounts prescribed can only be approximated, and no hard and fast 

 rule can be set down. The following will be of help: 



A stream of molasses (undiluted) Delivers the following amount 



that fills a quart bottle in: of molasses in 10 minutes: 



40 seconds 40 pounds 



30 " 60 " 



20 " 80 " 



If the molasses is diluted with water, half and half by volume, the stream must 

 be enough larger to fill the bottle in half the above time limits. 



An average rate of cutting for the larger machines is a ton in ten minutes. 

 Further checks on the amount of molasses being added are: 



A cask should last 

 A 54 gallon cask for: (actual chopping time): 



Grass alone 14 tons green weight 2 hrs. 20 min. 



Grass and legumes (50-50) 11 " " " 1 hr. 50 min. 



Legumes alone 8 " " " 1 hr. 20 min. 



Where scales are not available to weigh the load, it may be of further help to 

 know that the average weight of 1 1 1 loads at the State College, season of 1938, was 

 3,450 pounds net. At a chopping rate of 10 minutes per ton, such a load goes 

 through in about 17 minutes. 



After some experience has been acquired, with the above information to check 

 him occasionally, the operator can judge quite well by the size of the molasses 

 stream whether or not enough is being added. Some of the new machines have a 



