HARVESTING AND STORAGE 



457 



the rest still green. Until this stage has been reached, it may 

 be considered that the greener the maize, the greater the loss 

 in the silo. He summarizes as follows the advantages of 

 allowing the crop intended for silage to arrive at the stage of 

 maturity indicated above : — 



(i) Greater yield of water-free substance. 



(2) Less total weight to handle. 



(3) Less loss in silo. 



(4) Superior composition. 



(5) Greater digestibility. 



(6) Greater palatability, resulting in a greater feeding value 

 per acre at less cost. 



The following table (LVIII) prepared by Prof. Hunt at the 

 Cornell Station shows the influence of maturity upon weight 

 of fresh and dry substance and loss. in the silo. 



CHAP. 

 XI. 



Table LVIII. 

 INFLUENCE OF MATURITY ON YIELD. 



If put into the silo before the grain has reached the 

 "glazed" or "roasting" stage, the silage is less nutritious 

 than it would otherwise be and is apt to be unduly acid. 

 If, on the other hand, it is allowed to get riper than the 

 "glazed" stage, it is less likely to pack well, and mouldy 

 spots or masses will be found among the silage. The over- 

 acid condition is due to excess of succulence, and the mouldy 

 condition to lack of succulence. A partial remedy for the first 

 trouble is to wilt the maize more or less before putting it into 

 the silo ; for the mouldy condition, prevention is the best 



