ENSILAGE CROPS. 229 



that on the lower part of the spike slightly turned brown, 

 but the upper part still purple. It should now be cut 

 immediately, as it deteriorates in quality very rapidly. 

 The combined crop of timothy and large and late clover 

 may be cultivated to produce from 12 to 14 tons upon an 

 acre, and each ton worth about two tons of fodder-corn. 

 So that this crop should be considered quite as profitable 

 as the corn crop for ensilage, and when the labor is taken 

 into account, mueh more profitable, as on favorable soil it 

 may give 5 to 10 consecutive crops without any labor 

 except an occasional top-dressing. This crop, allowing 60 

 Ibs. per head per day, would feed a cow through the year. 

 The ensilagist must, however, learn to raise the crop before 

 he estimates more than 60 per cent, of these figures. 



SORGHUM CANE is likely to prove a valuable ensilaging 

 crop. Some of the larger varieties yield very large crops, 

 will produce as much as the largest corn ; on suitable land 

 25 tons would be a moderate yield. Should cane be raised 

 largely for sugar, the tops and leaves will make excellent 

 ensilage, amounting from 4 to 8 tons per acre, according to 

 the size of the variety. Containing so much sugar will 

 increase its tendency to fermentation, and the silo wilf 

 require a well-weighted cover. This crop will have one 

 advantage which may be of considerable service it may 

 be cut twice in a season. If the season is favorable it may 

 be cut when four or five feet high, and it will spring up ' 

 again with great rapidity and mature a second crop. We 

 have, for two years, pursued this plan for summer soiling 

 to advantage. 



STORING SEVERAL ENSILAGE CROPS TOGETHER. 



If second crop clover is ensilaged with corn, the clover 

 fills the spaces between the coarser pieces of corn, makes a 

 solider mass than corn alone, and more effectually excludes 

 the air, so that it is an advantage in the preservation of the 



