108 H. R. STEVENS ON ENSILAGE. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



REPORT OF 



- E. ID. 

 FITCHBURG, MASS. 



LAST year I planted about an acre, and ensilaged it in August. I 

 procured a Baldwin cutter, which cut fodder seven-eighths of an inch 

 long, and put in about twenty-five tons. I covered the fodder with 

 straw, and then with plank, and weighted it with stones. A few days 

 later a slight odor was perceptible, which continued four or five weeks. 

 I took out a specimen at cattle-show, found it keeping well. I com- 

 menced feeding, the 2d of December, and have enough to last till 

 March. Cattle do very well on it ; better than on hay. The ensilage 

 should be put in hard. Stone and cement should be used in con- 

 structing silos. The walls should be sixteen inches thick. I am 

 intending to put in ensilage enough to fill my barn with cattle. I can 

 raise ensilage at two dollars per ton. I would build the silo under 

 my barn if convenient. I think ensilage will take the front rank as 

 feed. I have made a failure of curing corn-fodder, and feeding it to 

 stock. My cattle did not eat ensilage readily at first, but in a few 

 days some of my cows would leave hay and rowen to eat ensilage. 

 If I had a supply, I would feed seven-eighths ensilage, and would 

 prefer all ensilage to all hay. Clover, Hungarian, and other grasses 

 can be used for ensilage, but I should not ensilage good English hay. 

 I took a piece of grass-land, ploughed it, put on twelve loads of 

 manure and half a barrel of phosphate, and sowed corn in rows. It 

 grew so fast, and shaded the ground so, I was not troubled with 

 weeds ; did not touch the crop till I harvested it. I should sow the 

 seed five or six inches apart, let it grow as large as it will ; should 

 sow from first of June till July ; the early part of July is early enough 

 if the land is rich. 



