PRESERVATION FOR STOCK' FOOD 749 



are usually ready to be preserved, and when— except in the chap. 

 Western Province — South African farmers are apt to have xv - 

 many days, and sometimes several weeks, of continuous rain. 



" If the stockman desires a cheap, succulent feed for his 

 cattle in winter, he will find it in maize silage. The same 

 quantity of nutriment that a root-crop yields can be produced 

 more economically in maize forage stored in the shape of 

 silage" {Henry, 1). 



715. Maize for Silage may be Planted Late. — Another 

 advantage of ensiling maize is that for this purpose it ma)- be 

 planted after the last safe date for planting the grain crop, and 

 harvested before the grain crop is ready. Much of the silage 

 maize of the Transvaal is planted in January, and it is ensiled 

 during the months of March or April. On the High-veld of 

 the Transvaal and Orange Free State, the planting period 

 starts earlier, i.e. from the first week of November to the first 

 week of December, according to the breed of maize grown. 

 Harvesting should be completed before the frosts begin, for 

 although frosted maize can be ensiled profitably if cut im- 

 mediately after it is frosted, it is difficult to get it all cut quickly 

 enough. The preparation of silage can be continued during 

 the rain, as the green fodder may be ensiled safely even when 

 wet. 



716. Uses of Silage. — Maize silage is especially useful for 

 feeding to cattle (If 717 and 718) and sheep, and is also suit- 

 able for horses and mules. It is particularly valuable for 

 breeding-stock, especially dairy cows and ewes with lamb, 

 because it stimulates the milk flow. For fattening slaughter- 

 stock it is an invaluable addition to the veld grass or dry hay 

 during the winter months. In limited quantity it is also used 

 for working oxen and other animals, to help in maintaining 

 their condition. It is generally advisable not to feed silage 

 alone but as part of a mixed ration. 



717. Silage for Dairy Cows.— Silage, principally from the 

 maize plant, is now a factor of first importance on thousands of 

 American dairy farms. That it is well liked by the cow ; that 

 she thrives on it and yields milk liberally ; that properly fed, 

 it does not impair her health ; all these points have been settled 

 in favour of the silo and its product {Henry, 1). See also 

 IT 683 and 724. 



