Growing Ensilage. 231 



It is the carbonic acid gas which it generates in 

 the process of fermentation that is relied upon to 

 preserve the silage. This is heavier than air. The 

 first stage toward decay is the lactic, then the alco- 

 holic, then the acetic. At this point, if the air is 

 replaced by the carbonic acid gas which this stage 

 of decomposition produces, the air, as before stated, 

 is expelled and fermentation ceases. The next 

 stage to the acetic is decay. When the silage is re- 

 moved from the silo and comes in contact with the 

 open air, fermentation begins where it left off, as in- 

 dicated by the heat that is speedily generated. 



The only pressing that is necessary, if any at all, 

 is to put on enough to press together or exclude as 

 much air as possible from the last two feet of silage. 

 It is a good plan to leave one or two days' cutting to 

 put on top after the silo has settled. Or, where 

 there are two silos, they can be cut into alternate 

 days. 



As to slow or rapid filling, there is little to be said 

 in favor of either. 



The question of the quality of the silage, I believe, 

 is not owing at all to whether the silo was filled fast 

 or slow, but to the condition of the corn itself when 

 the harvesting begins. I have ensilaged corn in its 

 greenest possible stage, before there was a sign of a 

 leaf, when the ears were not yet fit for roasting or 

 boiling; also when the ears were glazed and the 

 leaves were dying, and still later when it was fit to 

 cut and shock, ears ripe, husks ripe, bo:;tom leaves 

 ripe; then again after a severe frost, and again 



