IX CARE OF ESTABLISHED PASTURES 67 



Coarse or weathered hay may be rendered much more palatable by sprinkling 

 each layer with rough salt, about 15 lbs. being used to the ton. 



Ventilation of Rick. — Ventilating shafts, made by pulling up hay in the 

 centre of the rick, are only necessary when the crop cannot be carried in 

 really good condition. 



Rick-Cloths. — Rick-cloths prevent injury from rain, and also obviate the 

 necessity for running up and thatching a rick before the first rise of heat is 

 properly dissipated. 



Ensilage. 



Preparation of Silos. — The essential parts of a silo are 4 walls and a 

 floor, as nearly dry and air-tight as possible, and a movable zinc or iron roof or 

 lid, fitting closely inside these 4 walls. So then, if a suitable building be not 

 available, a well-drained pit, the floor and sides of which are formed of 

 concrete, stones or even dry earth, may be utilised. 



The necessary downward pressure on the lid can be provided by screws, 

 levers, stones or barrels of water. 



Advantages of Silos. — In very wet seasons much waste is obviated by 

 preserving meadow-grass, clovers, etc., in silos instead of making them into 

 hay ; and this always applies more or less to lattermath cuttings. Loss of 

 leaf by leguminous plants and of the short "bottom-grass" of meadows are 

 prevented by converting the produce into ensilage ; and coarse, hard grasses 

 are rendered much more palatable and wholesome. Silage takes the place of 

 fresh grass in winter, being especially valuable for dairy cows, though desirable 

 for all stock. 



Method of Procedure. — The crop must be cut on a fine day while the 

 steins are yet very succulent, — a little sooner than for hay ; and it is, after 

 some hours exposure to the atmosphere, carried, placed in the soil, being well 

 trodden down round the walls, and closely covered to exclude air. Preparatory 

 chaffing of course adds to the expense. 



Souij silage, which is not always relished by cattle at first, is made by 

 carrying the produce immediately it is mown. 



After time has been allowed for shrinkage, more herbage is added until 

 the silo is quite full, when the lid is promptly replaced and properly weighted. 



