8 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 362 



device attached to the feed roll of the cutter which automatically regulates mol- 

 asses flow by opening or shutting the valve in the molasses line as the roll rises 

 and falls with variations in rate of feeding the crop to the cutter. When no 

 material is passing through the rolls, the valve is closed completely. This ar- 

 rangement does not, however, take care of the rate of flow, which must be pre- 

 determined and a second valve in the line set accordingly. Figure 4 illustrates 

 such an arrangement. 



Molasses may also be dispensed by force feed or by a small rotary pump with 

 suitable connections. Both of these methods are more convenient than the 

 gravity' method, doing away with much heavy lifting, but they require a larger 

 investment in equipment. 



For either method, the molasses cask may remain on the ground convenient 

 to the cutter; the molasses flows through a flexible hose line instead of through a 

 pipe. In the force feed method, the small hole bored in the bung, which in the 

 gravity system serves only as a vent, is fitted with a tire valve. A few strokes 

 of an ordinary tire pump as needed will keep the molasses flowing uniformly. 

 Fifteen pounds pressure is sufficient; a small pressure gauge placed where the 

 operator can keep an eye on it is a great convenience for this set-up. Caution 

 should be used not to apply too much pressure. One operator forced the head 

 out of a cask by too vigorous use of the pump. A larger pipe would help in such 

 a situation by reducing friction and thus permitting freer flow. 



Suitable connections for a small rotary pump are described and illustrated in 

 Hoards' X Dairyman for May 10, 1938 (p. 261). 



Distribution in the Silo 



It has been our practice to keep a man in the silo at all times when the cutter 

 is in operation. Even distribution is the secret of uniform packing, and this is 

 best accomplished by the useof a distributor kept constantly in motion and directed 

 in turn toward every part of the silo. The sides should not be heaped up at the 

 expense of the middle, or the mass will pull away from the walls as it settles, 

 resulting in moldy silage all around the edge. Neither should the middle be 

 allowed to pile up, or the heavier parts of the chopped grass will roll down the 

 cone to the edge, resulting in a silage not at all uniform in quality and feeding 

 value. If the attendant does a good job with the distributor, much tramping 

 is unnecessary except to compact the top layers when the silo is full or nearly so, 

 and as the silage settles. 



A tight silo is just as important as it is for corn, perhaps even more so. Strips 

 of tar paper or building paper should be tacked inside, over the doors, as the 

 silo fills. 



Sealing the Silo 



Unless the silo is properly' sealed, waste from spoilage will be excessive. Several 

 methods are in use. Details of one that has worked well at the State College are: 



1. Level off and thoroughly tramp the last load of good fodder. 



2. Cover the leveled mass with strips of building paper, cut long enough to 

 turn up a foot or so against the silo wall. 



3. Blow in on top of the building paper some poor hay or straw mixed with 

 wet sawdust and tramp well. There need be only enough of the poor roughage to 

 keep the sawdust from spilling through the crevices of the apron and feed rolls. 

 Two large dumpcart loads of sawdust have been found sufficient for a silo 14 feet 

 in diameter. Sand might be used instead of sawdust, but of course it could not 

 be run through the cutter. 



