389. CORN ENSILAGE. 



Taken from Silo No. 1, March 23, 1886. 



The silo had been closed about six mouths, when opened. The 

 highest temperature recorded by the thermometer buried at a depth 

 of two feet below the surface of the ensilage, after closing the silo, 

 was 116.5° F. • 



A layer of eighteen inches in thickness on the top and from six to 

 eight inches along the sides of the silo was of a dark color and unfit 

 for fodder. It was removed until no mould could be noticed on the 

 leaves and stem parts ; the ears of the corn were best preserved. 

 The main bulk of the ensilage was of a brownish yellow color, and 

 showed a decided acid reaction to the test-paper. The odor was at 

 first, that of organic matter slowly disintegrating under the exclusion 

 of air, but changed, soon after the opening of the silo into that of 

 acetic acid (vinegar) . The free organic acids contained in one hun- 

 dred weight parts of the fresh ensilage (directl}^ after the opening of 

 the silo), required 1.309 parts of sodium hydroxide for their neutral- 

 ization, which is equal to 1.96 per cent, of acetic acid. The same 

 quantity of fresh ensilage contained 0.0374 parts of actual ammonia. 

 No starch could be detected in the stems and leaves, whilst an 

 abundance of it was found in the ears. 



