The Ensilage of Fodder. 237 



only disadvantage of summer silage is the tendency to decay more 

 rapidly than in winter. This can be minimized by so limiting the 

 diameter of the silo that somewhat more than 2 inches of silage is 

 fed off daily from the surface of the mass. 



369. Filling the silo. — Provided the material is closely packed, it 

 is not essential that green forage be cut into bits to preserve it in 

 the silo. The legumes, such as alfalfa, clover, cowpea vines, etc., are 

 often ensiled uncut, and some farmers prefer to ensile whole corn 

 forage, tied in bundles. Because of the greater ease in filling and 

 especially in removing the material, corn forage is usually cut into 

 lengths varying from 0.5 to 2 inches. When filling the silo the in- 

 pouring material should be thoroly mixed, evenly spread, and well 

 tramped next the walls, as the friction there tends to unevenness in 

 settling. The filling should be l)y daily additions, tho experience 

 shows that intermissions of 1 or 2 days work little or no harm. If 

 possible the operation should extend over 1 or 2 weeks, as this per- 

 mits close packing and insures better silage than is made by hurry- 

 ing the operation. Time is required for the forage to soften, settle, 

 and thereby expel the entangled air thru heat and the generation of 

 carbonic acid gas. If feeding is not to begin immediately, there 

 should be a covering of about a foot of any cheap or waste material 

 such as straw, corn stalks, weeds, etc. This should be spread evenly 

 and w^et with water so as to quickly decay and seal the ensiled mass 

 beneath. Oats scattered over the cover will germinate and help in- 

 crease the density of the cover. 



370. Danger from carbon dioxid. — In silo filling there is possi- 

 ble danger to those who go into the pit after an intermission, due to 

 the generation of carbonic acid gas, which sometimes accumulates in 

 sufficient quantity to prove fatal to life. The possibility of danger 

 may be ascertained by lowering a lighted candle into the pit. If the 

 candle continues to burn at the bottom human beings can live in the 

 same atmosphere, but if the light goes out it means death to one en- 

 tering the pit. The opening of a door low down in the silo will allow 

 the poisonous gas to pour out, or pouring a lot of cut forage into 

 the pit soon creates a circulation which removes the danger. 



II. The Silo. 



This work can present only the primary principles relating to silo 

 construction, advising those interested to secure from the experiment 



