78 FARM CROPS 



FEEDING SILAGE 



The quantity of silage fed depends somewhat on 

 the kind of forage used. Silage made of clover, 

 cowpeas or alfalfa contains more protein than one 

 made of corn. If either of the former be used, from 

 15 to 20 pounds will be sufficient for a daily feed. 

 On the other hand, if corn is used, from 25 to 50 

 pounds can be fed, 30 to 40 pounds being a good 

 average. Silage can be fed once or twice each day. 

 If a small quantity is used in the daily ration, the 

 feeder should give silage but once; a larger quan- 

 tity will require two feedings. 



The feeding should be regular, that is, every day, 

 so as to keep the top of the silo fed ofif to keep from 

 spoiling. One or 2 inches from the whole of the 

 top will prevent any decay. Feeding in the stall 

 should be done just after milking, otherwise the 

 odor may be observed in the milk. The grain can 

 be fed either in connection with or just before feed- 

 ing the silage. 



CROPS FOR SILAGE 



There are only a few crops that can be success- 

 fully used for silage. The great silo crop is corn; 

 and so much so that whenever silo is spoken one 

 invariably thinks of corn silage. Clover is also 

 ensiled with a fair degree of success. Peas mixed 

 with corn are also good, and alfalfa to some extent. 

 Any crop having a hollow stem generally makes 

 poor silage because of the air stored with the crop. 

 There is also little reason for using crops that are 

 easily cured in the field, like the grasses and hays. 



