166 FEEDING WITH SUGAR BEETS, SUGAR, ETC. 



The variation of these data may be mainly explained, especi- 

 ally in the case of Maercker, by the fact that in these observa- 

 tions all the decomposed cossettes have been deducted from the 

 calculations as having no feeding value. Under these condi- 

 tions there is an important margin of variation that is open to 

 discussion. 



The experience of Liebscher shows that it is possible, from a 

 practical standpoint, to reduce these losses very materially by 

 certain precautionary measures. Herewith are his observations 

 for a period of keeping lasting 108 days: 



Stone silos with stone covering, total loss 7.3 per cent. 



Stone silos with earth covering, 6.5 per cent. 



Cemented silos with stone covering, 6.7 per cent. 



Cemented silos with earth covering, 5.2 per cent. 



It is difficult to reconcile this data with the assertion of 

 Maercker, who declares that with the best-arranged silos these 

 losses cannot be brought below 20 per cent. The truth is to be 

 found between the two extremes of these and other authorities. 



It has been recommended that, in order to diminish the 

 losses, one alternate in the silos successive layers of other sub- 

 stances than cossettes, so that there follow in regular order hay 

 and chopped straw, or other forage capable of absorbing the 

 liquid running from the residuum and thereby preventing these 



According to Rabbetge, it is desirable to mix with the cos- 

 settes 5 per cent, of chopped straw. Von Ehrenstein declares 

 that besides the virtue the straw has of absorbing the liquids, it 

 possesses the advantage of undergoing a transformation in the 

 silos which in reality increases its digestibility. 



Pellet and Lelavandier have demonstrated that besides the 

 advantages of straw just mentioned, it penetrates the mass and 

 becomes rapidly heated, and under these circumstances attains 

 within a very short time the requisite temperature for satis- 

 factory fermentation. They recommend that at the bottom of 

 the silos there be placed about one inch of chopped straw, then 

 three to five inches of cossettes, then one inch of straw, etc. 



Strange as it may seem, a German authority declares on the 

 contrary that the losses are greater with straw than without it, 



