156 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



have silos which have been built now eleven years, and I have 

 not found an indication of decay in them. I think he is 

 certainly correct when he says a single Iwarding is much 

 more safe from decay than the double. I have found ensi- 

 lage always kept perfectly in that w^ay. 



QuESTiox. Do I understand there is an advantage in 

 feeding from the silo in July ? 



Professor Robertson. Well, we cannot get our crop of 

 corn to the stage of growth fit for cutting l)y that time, so 

 we feed from the corn crop of the previous year, out of the 

 silo. 



Question. Do I understand you to say that the only ad- 

 vantage to be obtained in feeding from the silo, providing the 

 corn in the field is in proper condition, is simply on account 

 of the saving of labor ? 



Professor Robertson. That is all. We do not find it 

 possible to grow the kind of corn w^e like for ensilage to the 

 right degree of maturity until Septeml)er. As fist as our 

 corn is fit to cut, we feed that direct from the field and fill 

 the silo at the same time. 



Question. Is yellow corn superior to sweet corn? 



Professor Robertson. We have not found any difier- 

 ence by the ton in the various varieties. It is largely for 

 the individual farmer to find how he can select a variety 

 suited to the soil and climate where he lives. He can make 

 sweet corn do better in some places than in others. 



Question. Did you ever try sweet corn ? 



Professor Robertson. Oh, yes ; a great many times. 



Question. What do you think of ensilage as a supple- 

 mental food? Does it hurt a cow? Is she poorer for it 

 after two years than she would be without it ? Is she hurt 

 by it? 



Professor Robertson. I do not think so. I think if the 

 ensilage be exceedingly sour (which it need not be) then it 

 might hurt the cow. 



Question. Can you grow a crop of barley after cutting 

 the corn? 



Professor Robertson. I have not found it possi])le to 

 grow barley in the same season after corn. I have tried 

 some crops after corn. I have not found it possible to grow 



