CROPS FOE FEED, SILOING, ETC. 



287 



Ensilage Stack At 



soils, and in these places (without artificial walls) feed has 

 been stored upon the siloing principle, with results as good 

 as the best. In other places, silos have been made partly in 

 the ground, and partly above the surface. The part above 

 ground is lined with timber, and that below is sometimes 

 lined; in other cases, the soil forms the sides. Barns, 



sheds, and other erec- 

 tions have been used ; 

 and stacks above 

 ground, of much the 

 same form as hay- 

 stacks, are in favour. 

 The object in view, in 

 all cases, is to compress 

 the stuff sufficiently 

 close to allow mild 

 fermentation to set in, 

 but to prevent over- 

 heating, and the active fermentation and the destruction sure 

 to follow overheating. 



Requirements for Siloing. The success of the operation 

 depends very much upon the conditions of thorough 

 drainage of the sides and bottom of the silo, expulsion of 

 air from the mass of forage ensiled, and upon keeping air 

 out with its ever-active germs of fermentation after the 

 ensilage is covered in. Whatever may be put into a silo 

 should be thoroughly well trodden in, and rammed down at 

 the sides into a compact mass. The same rule applies to 

 ensilage above ground. This packing of ensilage is greatly 

 facilitated by passing the material through a chaff-cutter, 

 as the long stalks of uncut stuff occupy greater space and 

 offer more opportunity for stagnating air and unhealthy 

 fermentations. To secure the exclusion of air, it has been 

 found useful to cover the mass with close-fitting boards, or 

 shutters, in one or more divisions. Where a silo can be all 

 filled at one time, and where there is no intention of 

 re-opening it to put in more stuff, dead weights to press 

 down the mass appear to be the most economical. But 

 whore the coverings have to be removed to add more to 

 make up for shrinkage, the value of mechanical appliances 



