88 IT. -R. STEVENS ON ENSILAGE. 



upon hay ; and the milk of the cows fed upon ensilage being tested 

 by experienced parties, was found to be much superior in quality to 

 the milk made from hay, the ration of grain being the same in both 

 cases. I have cut and steamed my dried forage for my stock for a 

 number of years ; but I find the silo effects a great saving of labor, 

 compared with the steam-box, while the product of the latter is in 

 every way inferior to the well-preserved contents of the former. I 

 think a ton of ensilage, with ten per cent of its weight additional of 

 oil-meal, wheat, shorts, etc., is sufficient feed, and will keep an 

 average milking-cow in good condition and flow of milk for one 

 month ; and, being fed at that rate, the cow wintered upon ensilage 

 will thrive better, look sleeker, drink less water, and spring-time will 

 find her in better condition, than when fed upon hay, while the flow 

 of milk will be considerably greater. 



I keep no sheep, but have had some experience with them in past 

 years, and should consider ensilage a valuable food for them. 



Ensilage, or the preserving of green crops for winter feeding, will 

 be of great benefit to stock ; as it will give them a juicy, succulent 

 food, easily masticated and digested, in place of the dry, hard, and 

 woody forage furnished by the mow or stack. 



Ensilage will be a great profit, and effect a great saving, to the 

 farmer, as it will certainly permit of his keeping double the animals 

 in winter kept by the old method, and at the same expense. 



I do not as yet know how successfully ensilage may be used as a 

 summer food : time and experiment will tell that. 



I have practised soiling somewhat ; and possibly ensilage will so 

 supplement soiling that we may keep our cattle at the barn the year 

 round. Ensilage is a subject to-day of more importance to the 

 farmers of the older States than all others combined, and I cannot 

 commend it too highly to my brother farmers : at the same time, I do 

 not wish to give such rose-colored accounts of the results of feeding 

 ensilage as will tend to raise doubts, and make the statement seem 

 improbable. I should be pleased to see your work when published ; 

 and, if any thing I have written is of any service to you, you are 

 welcome to use it ; or, if I can aid you any further in the matter, 

 advise me, and I shall be happy to respond. 



Respectfully yours, 



JAMES S. CHAFFEE. 



