SILO AND ENSILAGE. 389 



The usual practice has been to cut the fodder for cusihige 

 three-eighths or one-half inch long, and to tramp it 

 thoroughly ; but, inasmuch as the breaking or cutting the 

 cellular structure of the plant produces molecular fermenta- 

 tion, it would seem that the less cutting and mashing of the 

 cells of the plant there is by treading (consistent with 

 proper levelling), the better; and it is found that with suffi- 

 cient weighting (two hundred pounds to the square foot), 

 cutting an inch or an inch and a half long gives better 

 results, by producing less fermentation, and hence better 

 quality of ensilage. 



The experience of the past year has enabled ftirmers to 

 control fermentation in the silo better than ever before, 

 hence the ensilage is generally less acid. 



Ensilage has been kept two or more years in the silo in 

 good condition, and it is not in its best condition until it has 

 had at least two months' curing in the silo. 



An ordinary sized cow will eat on an average sixty pounds 

 of ensilage per day, which should be fed in two rations, 

 morning and evening. Corn ensilage is not considered a 

 complete food, as it does not contain protein, carbohydrates, 

 and fat in proper proportions — protein and fat being defi- 

 cient for an economical feeding standard. This lack should 

 be made up with articles rich in these ingredients, such as 

 cotton seed or Indian meal. It should be considered as a 

 substitute for hay and roots, but not for grain. All kinds 

 of farm live-stock eat it with avidity when fed as a substitute 

 for hay and roots. They thrive better, and yield an increase 

 in milk and flesh, from nine to twenty per cent, more than 

 when fed on good hay ; the milk, butter and flesh produced 

 from it being of superior quality, resembling that from June 

 grass, and the cost of feeding stock with it is less than one 

 half that of hay, when valued at twenty dollars per ton. It 

 has been proved that cattle fed upon it year after year con- 

 tinue in thrift and health. 



Many have claimed that two tons of good ensilage were 

 worth as much as one ton of English hay ; but by a cari'- 

 fully conducted experiment, it proved that with hay at 

 twenty dollars per ton, a ton of corn ensilage was worth for 



