ENSILAGE. 



Ensilage is simply the name given to the process by 

 which feeding stuffs may be stored during the rainy or 

 growing season against the scarcity which is likely to 

 attend the dry or dormant season. 



In Britain it was the custom to convert green forage 

 plants into hay for use as a feed, as here we are in the 

 custom of doing with our oat crops. But iiv certain dis- 

 tricts at Home, particularly in the West of the Isles, the 

 rainfall is such as to render the making of hay precarious, 

 and often, indeed, is the crop entirely lost, and oftener it 

 suffers loss in quality. Then it was proposed that, instead 

 of endeavouring to make hay, and run the risk of losing 

 the whole crop by its being spoilt by rain and unsuitable 

 weather, the crop should be cut and preserved in a silo in 

 its succulent green stage. In many instances this plan was 

 followed, and although at first clumsy methods were only 

 known and many disappointments befel the pioneers, the 

 general report was one of enthusiastic praise, and silage 

 gradually became more popular. 



It will be seen that the necessity for making silage in 

 Britain is different from that prevailing here. 



In those parts where the winter rains fall, there is a 

 plentiful growth of veldt grasses, and it is warm enough 

 for grain crops and also for numerous other fodder crops to 

 grow. In the summer, with a scanty rainfall, the veldt is 

 burned up and much less natural green feed is to be had. 

 The result is that at one season, or another, the farmer is 

 either understocked or overstocked. If understocked at one 

 season he is losing ; if overstocked at another he has either 

 to trek with his stock to a part where nature is more kind, 

 or else be under the painful necessity of seeing his cattle 

 go down in condition. 



The same sort of thing happens where summer rains falk 

 Luxuriant grass conies up, or green food can be easily 

 reared and the cattle come into excellent condition ; but 



