150 SILAGE CROPS. 



Many farmers are increasing the value of their corn silage by 

 the addition of clover. A load of clover to a load or two loads of 

 well-matured cprn is a good mixture. 



Clover for Summer Silage.— By filling the clover into the silo 

 at midsummer, or before, space is utilized that would otherwise be 

 empty; the silage will, furthermore, be available for feeding in the 

 latter part of the summer and during the fall, when the pastures 

 are apt to run short. This makes it possible to keep a larger num- 

 ber of stock on the farm than can be the case if pastures alone 

 are to be relied upon, and thus greatly facilitate intensive farm- 

 ing. Now that stave silos of any size may be easily and cheaply 

 put up, it will be found very convenient at least on dairy farms, 

 to keep a small separate silo for making clover silage that may be 

 fed out during the summer, or at any time simultaneously with 

 the feeding of corn silage. This extra silo may also be used for 

 the siloing of odd lots of forage that may happen to be available 

 (see page 160). It is a good plan in siloing clover or other com- 

 paratively light crops in rather small silos, to put a layer of corn 

 on top that will weight down the mass below, and secure a. more 

 thorough packing and thereby also a better Quality of silage. 



In several instances where there has still been a supply of 

 clover silage in the silo, green corn has been filled in on top of the 

 clover, and the latter has been sealed and thus preserved for a 

 number of years. Corn silage once settled and "sealed," will also 

 kfeep perhaps Indefinitely when left undisturbed in the silo, with- 

 out deteriorating appreciably in feeding value or palatability. 



Says a Canadian dairy farmer: "If we were asked for our 

 opinion as to what will most help the average dairy farmer, I think 

 we would reply: Knowledge of a balanced ration, the Babcock 

 test, and a summer silo; then varying the feed of individual ani- 

 mals according to capacity; as shown by scales and close observa- 

 tion." Prof. Neale and others recommended the use of scarlet 

 clover for summer silage, for Delaware and States under similar 

 climatic conditions. 



Prof. Cottrell writing for Kansas farmers, says: "Silage will 

 keep as long as the silo is not opened, and has been kept in good 

 condition for seven years. This is a special advantage for Kansas 

 dairymen, as in years of heavy crops the surplus can be stored in 

 silos for years of drouth, making all years good crop years for silo 

 dairymen." 



