SILOS AND SILAGE. 



BY W. NEWTON, SOIL AND CROP INSTRUCTOR. 



HE popularity of the silo in British Columbia is the foundation of a 

 successful live-stock industry. With the introduction of the silo, we 

 will be able to feed our animals better and with greater economy. The 

 digestive organs of animals that chew the cud are so formed as to 

 require comparatively juicy and bulky food. The cow cannot thrive 

 on exclusively dry feed so well as the horse. The nearest ideal 

 food for the dairy cow is good pasture. This is only available during the summer 

 months. The best substitute during the period when pasture is not available is 

 corn silage. 



CORN FOR SILAGE. 



Of all the crops suitable for putting into silos, corn is undoubtedly the best. 

 Clover, alfalfa, vetch, peas, fall rye, fall wheat, and most of the spring-sown grains 

 have been successfully made into silage both singly and in combinations. Under 

 certain conditions it is profitable to use these crops, but corn will be the staple 

 silo crop under most conditions. 



Fig. 2. Corn grown for silage purposes at Penticton, B.C. 



REASONS WHY CORN SHOULD BE USED AS SILAGE-CROP. 



(1.) The plant is capable of yielding a large amount of valuable forage under 

 a great variety of soil and climatic conditions. 



(2.) Corn silage is excellent material to render other food more palatable. The 

 succulent and appetizing nature of corn silage enables the animals to make better 

 use of other roughage and the concentrates fed. 



(3.) Corn silage properly made is superior to roots in feeding value and can 

 be more cheaply produced. 



