THE EARTH'S BOUNTY* 



Three carts are used, a load of each being 

 brought in at the same time. Then a small 

 bundle of each is placed on the feed-table, sent 

 through the cutter, caught by the " buckets," 

 and carried by the elevator into the top of the 

 silo. A man is stationed inside with a pitch- 

 fork, to regulate the distribution of fodder as 

 it falls. This is especially necessary as we silo 

 corn without removing the ears, preferring to 

 save the grain from a more fully ripened crop. 



When quite full, the fodder is allowed to 

 settle for twenty- four hours, during which 

 time it sinks considerably. Then it is again 

 filled up with freshly cut material, another 

 twenty-four hours is allowed to elapse and 

 any deficiency made up. After which about 

 four barrels of water are pumped up through 

 a hose into the top of the silo, to moisten the 

 surface, for by so doing the top layer of the 

 silage becomes a sort of slimy seal, which pro- 

 tects the remainder of the material. 



Probably we should not have bought the 

 hose especially for this purpose, but having 



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