CORRESPONDENCE OF DR. L. W. CURTIS. 63 



QUES. Where and what do yon consider the best location ? 



ANS. The location should always be convenient to the stable : a 

 side hill is far preferable. It should always be placed where the 

 ensilage could drop from the cutter into the silo. 



QUES. Have you opened your silo to feed ensilage to stock? If 

 so, did it come out satisfactory? 



ANS. The silo was opened Dec. 3. Although cold, the cows 

 increased in milk a quart a day, and some two quarts. I would add, 

 that the rowen that was the dryest had a very fragrant smell, while 

 that which was put in when very wet has a very agreeable smell ; but 

 the cattle eat it just as well, and it does not make the milk taste, 

 unless it lays in the stable while milking. I should not fear to put in 

 any kind of grass uncut, but should want heavy pressure, say a foot 

 and a half of stones. 



QUES. When you first began to feed your stock with ensilage, 

 did your cattle like it ? Did they eat it as though they were hungry 

 for it? 



ANS. My man said they acted like a hungry boy eating pie. 

 They will eat this in preference to hay. 



QUES. Did your milch cows, when you first fed them with ensi- 

 lage, eat it as well as young cattle? 



ANS. It makes no difference what kind of stock, cows or 

 young cattle. 



QUES. What quantity of ensilage do you consider will keep a 

 cow six months, or through the season for feeding? 



ANS. I should say, five or six tons of corn-fodder, but two less 

 of rowen or early-cut grass. 



QUES. What is the general appearance of cattle fed upon ensilage ? 



ANS. Cattle look healthy and sleek. My cows have roots, and 

 a full pint dish of cotton-seed meal. They seem more contented, 

 and look better than usual. 



QUES. In regard to the success of ensilage, or the preserving 

 of our green crops for fodder for our stock, in what way is it going 

 to be of great benefit, profit, or saving, to our farmers ? 



ANS. In the first place, he can soon double his stock, and, in the 

 second place, employ less help, making a double profit. 



SUGGESTIONS. I would not let corn-fodder wilt. Should prefer 

 a dry day ; but should, after I began, work any day that was fitting 

 for man to work. If my field-corn fodder was a little dry, should 

 mix it with my fodder corn. Almost any land will grow winter rye : 



