476 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The temperature observations above recorded were made in 

 different parts of the silo ; they show that it is quite difficult 

 to secure a desirable uniform temperature within the mass in 

 all parts of the silo, at the same depth and at the same time. 



Silo No. 2 was filled to a depth of from eight to nine feet, 

 as fast as the cut corn could be supplied and tramped down. 

 As soon as the amount of corn assigned for that silo (9.5 tons) 

 was filled in, the surface was carefully covered with tarred 

 paper and tight-fitting boards, in the same manner as in case 

 of the first silo, and at once pressed down with twenty-five 

 barrels of sand. A maximum registering thermometer was 

 safely buried at a depth of about two feet in the mass, to 

 record the highest temperature which the latter would reach 

 during the time of keeping the silo closed. 



The silo had been closed about six months when opened. 

 The highest temperature recorded by the thermometer buried 

 at a depth of two feet below the surface of the ensilage, after 

 closing the silo, was 116.5° F. 



A layer of eighteen inches in thickness on the top, and from 

 six to eight inches along the sides, was of dark color and unfit 

 for fodder. It was removed until no mould could be noticed 

 on the leaves and stem parts ; the ears of the corn were best 

 preserved. The main bulk of the ensilage was of a brownish 

 yellow color, and showed a decided acid reaction to the test- 

 paper. The odor was at first that of organic matter slowly 

 disintegrating under the exclusion of air, but changed soon 

 after the opening of the silo into that of acetic acid (vinegar). 

 The free organic acids contained in one hundred weight parts- 

 of the fresh ensilage (directly after the opening of the silo) 

 required 1.309 parts of sodium hydroxide for their neutraliza- 

 tion, which is equal to 1.96 per cent, of acetic acid. The same 

 quantity of fresh ensilage contained 0.0374 parts of actual am- 

 monia. No starch could be detected in the stems and leaves,, 

 whilst an abundance of it was found in the ears.. 



