148 SILAGE CROPS. 



The following description of the contents filled into 

 a New York silo, which was used as a sort of catch-all, is 

 given by the same writer: 1, 18 in. deep of green oats; 

 2, 6 in. of red clover; 3, 6 in. of Canada field peas; 4, 

 3 in. of brewers' grains; 5, 2 feet of whole corn plants, 

 sowed broadcast, and more rag-weed than corn; 6, 5 in. 

 of second-crop grass; 7, 12 in. of sorghum; 8, a lot im- 

 mature corn cut in short lengths. The silage came out 

 pretty acid, but made good forage, and was all eaten up 

 clean. Damaged crops like frosted beets, potatoes, cab- 

 bages, etc.; rutabagas which showed signs of decay, and 

 clover that could not be made into hay because of rain, 

 may all be placed in a silo and thus made to contribute 

 to the food supply on the farm. 



A peculiar use of the silo is reported from California, 

 viz., for rendering foxtail in alfalfa fields harmless in 

 feeding cattle. The foxtail which almost takes the first 

 crop of alfalfa in many parts of California, is a nutritious 

 grass, but on account of its beards, is dangerous to feed. 

 By siloing the crop the grass is said, to be rendered per- 

 fectly harmless; the alfalfa-foxtail silage thus obtained 

 is eaten by stock with great relish and without any in- 

 jurious effects. (Wall). 



