478 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The main body of the ensilage was in fine condition, of a 

 yellowish green color, somewhat lighter than in silo No. 1. It 

 had a slightly acid smell and taste. To neutralize the free 

 organic acids contained in one hundred weight parts of fresh 

 ensilage, collected at the opening of the silo, required 1.130 

 parts of sodium hydroxide, which is equal to 1.95 per cent, of 

 acetic acid. The amount of ensilage contained 0.027 parts of 

 actual ammonia. 



A comparison of these observations with those made in con- 

 nection with the contents of No. 1 shows that in our case the 

 direct filling and closing of the silo produced the best results. 

 The contents of the silo filled at once with cut corn-fodder, 

 and subsequently carefully closed up, had sufi*ered less serious 

 alteration in various directions than those that had passed 

 through a previous heating process, in consequence of a longer 

 exposure to atmosphoric agencies. The records of the ther- 

 mometers, the chemical anal3'sis of the enselage from both silos, 

 and the g-eneral character of both kinds of ensilao^e confirm our 

 above conclusion. Adding to these statements the circum- 

 stance that our cows decidedly preferred the ensilage from silo 

 No. 2, we feel that we can recommend the course pursued in 

 filling that silo. As the free acids, acetic and lactic, in a corn 

 ensilage, however carefully prepared, steadily increase after the 

 opening of the silo, as long as unchanged saccharine and 

 amylaceous constituents (sugar and starch) are present, it is 

 very important that the access of air should be limited as far 

 as practicable. The decision in regard to the best size of the 

 silo should be largely controlled by the possible rate of con- 

 sumption. The feeding value of the contents of the most 

 carefully packed silo is apt to be most seriously impaired in 

 consequence of a subsequent prolonged exposure to the air. 

 Three to four weeks' exposure altered the character of our ensi- 

 lage seriously, as far as its acidity was concerned. The degree 

 of the change depends, under corresponding circumstances, 

 largely on the surrounding temperature. It is far less during 

 the winter months than in April or May. 



