REPORT OF DR. W. H. TANNER. 105 



pendicular, and cost about a hundred and forty- four dollars, besides 

 the labor of excavation. The silo was filled last summer by Mr. 

 Williams, with green corn- fodder cut into pieces about half an inch 

 long. It was covered over with close-fitting plank nine feet long, and 

 weighted down with pig-iron. Mr. Williams did not use any straw 

 on top or under the planks. He used a Daniels cutter made at Wood- 

 stock, Vt. , to chop up the feed ; the cutter being operated in the 

 building over the silo, and the power communicated by a belt from 

 his engine. 



Mr. Williams began to feed from his silo on the 1st of November 

 last. The ensilage was found to be slightly acid, and alcoholic fer- 

 mentation had taken place to a certain extent. His horses showed no 

 great liking for it, but would eat it readily when mixed with meal. 

 His cows took to it with great relish, and immediately began to 

 increase their milk, which he claims was improved in quality as well 

 as quantity. In addition to the ensilage, the cows were fed about six 

 quarts of shorts a day throughout November, and grew fat, and 

 looked neatly. For hogs and poultry Mr. Williams thinks this kind 

 of fodder is unsurpassed ; and for milch cows he regards it far better 

 than any crop of roots or corn, both of which he has tried. The 

 ensilage settled about two feet. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



REPORT OF 



XDIR,. "VST. HI. 



AMENIA, DUTCHESS CO., N.Y. 



DR. TANNER built his silo thirty-five feet long, fifteen feet wide, 

 twenty feet deep. There were twelve acres of corn sowed for ensi- 

 lage, of the horse-tooth variety. His silo is placed against the barn. 

 The barn is large and well-equipped, broad stalls for about seventy 

 cows. The silo was filled within three feet of the top. The ensilage 



