76 



sea, it was comparatively unknown to us as a practical science, 

 until very recently ; but, although of recent development in 

 our own country, it has successfully passed through the initial 

 or experimental stage of development, and stands to-day upon 

 as firm a basis as any one of the many departments of agri- 

 cultural science. It is true that it has not reached the highest 

 point of achievement claimed for it by its most sanguine 

 friends, nor has it disappointed the hopes of its intelligent 

 adherents, by fulfilling the prophecy of its earliest enemies, 

 but it has fixed itself firmly upon the middle ground of econo- 

 my and utility. 



The principal objections raised against the method of pre- 

 serving green crops by placing them in air-tight silos, for 

 winter feeding, were as follows : — 



First — That ensilage did not contain nutritious qualities 

 enough to sustain animal life for any considerable length of 

 time.- 



Second — That ensilage contained properties that were 

 injurious to animals, especially their teeth. 



Third — That ensilage imparted an unpleasant flavor to milk 

 and butter, if fed to cows in any considerable quantity. 



Fourth — That the cost of producing the crop would prevent 

 its ever becoming a competing crop as food for cows. 



Fifth — That the cost of building the silo, and the storing of 

 the ensilage would place the whole business beyond the reach 

 of the ordinary farmer. 



Of these several objections so persistently urged at first, 

 not one of them now remains in the mind of any intelligent 

 farmer who has given the method a fair practical test. 



In regard to the first objection, it has been demonstrated by 

 the most rigid practical teats that you can make beef or butter 

 or milk, or produce the most perfect physical development in 

 young stock, on ensilage alone, and we do not know of but a 

 very few domestic animals that will not eat it and thrive on it. 

 As to the second objection, in all of our very extensive cor- 



