97 



Mr. Rradstreet has experimented this year on curing- 

 fodder corn with marked success, adopting a method that 

 is new, requiring much less labor than is usually practiced, 

 resulting in perfectly cured fodder, that the cows eat with 

 much relish and no waste. 



After filling the silo Mr. Bradstreet had three-fourths of 

 an acre of ensilage corn more than the silo would hold. He 

 cut up the corn, which was green and growing. It had 

 formed some ears but as it was rather thick, the growth wa 

 not over large, nor the ears very numerous. This was piled 

 up into the form of a well made cock of hay and about the 

 same size. Xotwithstanding the very rainy weather of 

 October, it was perfectly cured, with onh' about two inches 

 of the outside discolored by the weather ; the rest is of a 

 bright green color, and, as has been said, the cows eat it 

 all up, it being taken from the field to the barn as wanted. 



It has been a subject of contention between the advo- 

 cates of the silo and of cured fodder corn as to which 

 method required the 'less labor. This system of curing 

 certainly scores one in favor of the dry fodder. 



Your committee think that, while there is more or less 

 loss in nutritive ingredients of the fodder, whether as ensi- 

 lage or dried, they are of the opinion that ensilage, being 

 in a more succulent condition, is the more natural and bet- 

 ter for the production of milk than the cured fodder, but 

 certainly Mr. Bradstreet's method reduces the cost and lisk 

 of weather very much, and that his experiment is of great 

 value to the farmer. 



The committee are pleased with the general condition of 

 the farm, with the exception of some necessary repairs to 

 the buildings, which will be made. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



Benjamin P. Ware, Chairman, 

 S. D. Hood, 

 Andrew Nichols. 



