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XVI.— ENSILAGE. 



ENSILAGE was given a fair trial in Westmorland in the eighties. 

 The first one opened was in December, 1883, at Kirkby Stephen 

 — Thos. Mason's. The Underiey Silo was 42 feet by 23 feet and 11 

 feet deep, it was divided into four compartments with the walls 

 cemented inside, the total cost of the building was under £100. The 

 pressure was obtained with boxes of stones; it was filled in 1884 and 

 first opened January, 1885. 



The report of the Privy Council Commission in 1885 showed 

 that ten Westmorland witnesses were examined, and the whole evidence 

 showed that the quantity of butter produced per week with ensilage 

 was from i to 2 lbs. more per cow, the percentage of cream was increased, 

 and the milk and butter not affected in taste, but that ensilage should 

 be kept out of the cowhouse while milking took place, the hands of 

 the milkers should be thoroughly washed, and the milk immediately 

 removed from the byre. 



In 1886 the number of silos had increased to 31, and the following 

 year to 57, with a total capacity of 140,267 cubic feet ; from this date 

 they rapidly decreased in number, and there is none in use at the 

 present time. 



