Chemical Composition of some Samples of Scotch Ensilage. 481^ 



nitrogen as ammonia present in the fresh plant. Bungener 

 and Fries' results are on Table F. 



The fall in the proportion of starchy material is accounted 

 for by the presence of lactic and butyric acids in the 

 ensilage. Weiske states the proportion of lactic obtained 

 from a lupine ensilage at 2*30 per cent., and the butyric acid 

 at 3'58 per cent., the latter figure being increased in other 

 analyses to 7'45 and 7 34 per cent. 



It would thus seem that during the process of converting 

 grass into ensilage that a fermentation developing butyric 

 and lactic acids takes place, and that at the same time a 

 decomposition of the albumenoids proceeds, leading to a loss 

 of feeding power and the formation of ammonia. 



The feeding power of the ensilage is impaired by these 

 changes, and according to Tables D and C the flesh forming- 

 power is only about three-fifths that of meadow hay. In 

 Table E the starch compounds are only about three-fourths 

 those of fresh Lucerne. It wall therefore be necessary to 

 consider these points when ensilage is to be used for feeding 

 purposes. The strong and most disagreeable odour of the 

 ensilage is known to all who have seen the few silos erected 

 in this country, and so pungent is this smell, that even cattle 

 object to it at first, although after a time they may be 

 induced to take the material somewhat greedily. 



Great care is necessary in opening the silos to admit as 

 little air as possible, for further decomposition rapidly ensues, 

 and the material becomes musty and improper for feeding 

 purposes. 



TABLE A.— Chemical Composition of Ensilage. 



No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. No. 4. No. 5. 



Moisture, . . . 7632 73-71 6871 72-07 74-92 



Oil, .... 1-33 1-11 1-25 , 1-51 2-01 



^Albuminous Compounds, 1-73 2-31 2-58 2-79 3-46 



Starch, Gum, and Sugar, 13-88 14*96 14-73 13-36 11-12 



Woody Fibre, . . 4-83 6-04 9-86 7-42 5-86 



Ash, .... 1-91 1-87 2-87 2-85 2-63 



100 00 100-00 100-00 100-00 10000 



Nitrogen, . . 0-278% 0*369% 0-413% 0-431% 554% 



