459. 



CORN ENSILAGE. 



Experimcut Station, 188G. 



The above corn ensilage' was obtained from the green corn fodder 

 previously described (No. 458). The silo was filled with the cut 

 corn fodder and closed without any delay, Sept. 4th, 1886 (see details 

 pp. GO-62 in IV Annual Report) ; it was reopened for feeding, Jan- 

 uary 4th, 1887. The record of the maximum thermometer buried 

 in the centre of the silo showed 97° F., indicating but a slight increase 

 in temperature as compared with the temperature on the day when 

 filled. The ensilage was of a very good quality. A comparison with 

 the composition of the green corn fodder which served for its manu- 

 facture shows the usual changes noticed in a silo, which has been 

 filled at once and closed carefully without any material delay to pre- 

 vent a more serious heating up of its contents, — namely a decrease 

 in nitrogenous matter and crude cellulose, and an increase in fatty 

 acids and in soluble non-nitrogenous extract matter. The nutritive 

 ratio of the corn fodder was but slightly altered. A sample of the 

 corn ensilage taken from two feet below the surface near the centre 

 of the silo contained 32. 4G parts of dry matter, 0.0185 parts of actual 

 ammonia, and required 0.659 milligrames of sodium oxide for the 

 neutralization of its acids (acetic and lactic acid). 



