60 H. E. STEVENS ON ENSILAGE. 



has gone through no " heating " process ; but, before feeding, it is laid 

 in a heap for a few days, to ferment slightly, when it emits a pleasant 

 vinous aroma. The cattle devour it eagerly ; and their appearance 

 seems to prove that it is healthful, while the abundant milk they 

 produce is of the best quality. 



Mr. Mills feeds less grain than farmers ordinarily use in hay- fed 

 dairies. A tall variety of Southern corn is planted closely in drills ; 

 and it is cut after the tassel appears, and the ears begin to set. Pro- 

 fessor Cook, who has analyzed ensilage from a dozen localities, pro- 

 nounces the Pompton product of the first quality ; and he thinks the 

 various devices here used have reduced the system to a state ap- 

 proaching perfection. All the experts present were convinced that 

 the new process would work something like a revolution in dairy- 

 farming and stock-raising ; which will be readily believed when it is 

 remembered that more than thirty million tons of hay are now needed 

 every year to supply the horses and cattle of the country through our 

 long Northern winters. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



CORRESPONDENCE FROM 



IDIR,. L. -W. OUIR/rXS- 



GLOBE VILLAGE, MASS., JAN. 7, 1881. 



MR. H. R. STEVENS. 



Dear Sir: 



Your request has been received : but if I were not much interested 

 in silos, and believe they are to renovate the New-England farms, 

 I should hesitate to answer so many questions, as it taxes a tired brain 

 to write, while it is just fun to go to the barn and see the cows eat 

 ensilage ; but, believing they are to add millions to the farmers of 

 New England, I accept your invitation, and proceed to answer your 

 questions in detail. 



QUES. What is your method of planting and raising corn-fodder 

 for ensilage ? 



