76 FEEDING WITH SUGAR BEETS, SUGAR, ETC. 



their special attention. They would thus do considerable 

 towards advancing the prosperity of the tiller in their respective 

 sections. 

 Green corn The question of ensilage has for many years attracted much 



fodder vs. sugar attention throughout the country, and the subject is interesting 

 beets for cattle , f* 



fee(j and worthy of every agriculturalist s consideration. 



By supplying an economical green fodder to live stock 

 during the winter months milch cows may be kept in an 

 excellent condition. For many years past, farmers of the 

 southern parts of France have successfully adopted a system of 

 green corn ensilage, \vhich, in the generality of cases, has given 

 excellent results. As to its profitable application in the United 

 States, experiments have led to very contradictory results, and 

 in consequence we are not prepared either to recommend or 

 condemn the practice from a financial point of view. The silos 

 generally used are built of masonry and internally cemented, 

 their cost depending upon their capacity. If but few cows are 

 to be fed, the siloing of their food would not be judicious, as 

 the cost of the fodder per pound would then be considerably 

 increased. Before the green corn-stalks are placed in the silos 

 they are sliced and mixed with chopped straw. The hauling 

 of the stalks to the site of ensilage, their preparation, etc., are 

 all operations the cost of which depends upon the facilities 

 offered. When in large quantities the bulk would evidently 

 considerably diminish its cost of transportation per ton. As 

 regards this many enthusiasts contend that, under favorable 

 circumstances, it may be accomplished at forty cents a ton. 



While excellent results may be obtained by feeding ensilaged 

 green corn to cattle, the exhausting effect this practice has upon 

 the soil should not be overlooked. Many farmers are well 

 aware of the importance of "plowing under" corn stalks after 

 the corn harvest is over, in which case the soil gets back a 

 large percentage of the elements absorbed by the plant in grow- 

 ing. On the other hand, if green corn is fed to cattle, and if 

 the resulting manure is spread on the soil, a portion of the 

 plant-food will be lost this fact applies to fodders in general. 

 If a comparison be made between the exhausting effect from 

 growing one acre of green corn, and the same area planted with 



