FARM DAIRYING 



on top. The poor stuff should not be fed. To 

 lessen the waste, some farmers strip the ears from 

 the last load or two of corn, when finishing the 

 filling of the silo. 



One may begin feeding as soon after the silo 

 is filled as is desired. Good silage has a not un- 

 pleasant acid smell, a slightly sweetish, fermented 

 taste, and should be a brownish green color and 

 free from rot or mould. 



If a portion of the silage around the silo be- 

 comes frozen, it is more of an inconvenience than 

 a loss. It should be mixed with that from the 

 centre of the silo to allow it to thaw before be- 

 ing fed. 



Uncover only as much of the silage as can be 

 used up to the depth of from three to four inches 

 each day, otherwise it is apt to mould and smell 

 badly. A half or one-quarter of the surface may 

 be uncovered at a time. It may be cut down with 

 a hay knife and will mould but slightly. 



An acre of ground should produce from twelve 

 to fifteen tons of silage in a good season. The 

 cost, from the tilling of the soil for the seed, to 

 the time the corn is in the silo, is estimated at from 

 $2.00 to $2.50 per ton. 



The importance of silage as a succulent, coarse 



[93] 



