SILOS AND SILAGE. 203 



the corn was well trampled at the sides in fill- 

 ing. The more uniform the packing through- 

 out the better will the silage be preserved. 



Covering the top.— When full the contents 

 may be allowed to settle for a day or so, when 

 more corn may be cut into the silo, or cut straw 

 or chaff may be filled on the silage to a foot or 

 so of depth. A layer of tarred paper may first 

 be laid on the silage and the straw placed on 

 this. Some dispense with the paper, while 

 others begin feeding the silage from the top as 

 soon as filled, never covering at all. No pres- 

 sure on top of the corn is necessary. 



Wetting the silage.— When the corn is cut 

 in a very dry season, and is not as juicy as com- 

 mon, the writer has found it advisable to pour 

 water on it after the temperature reaches a 

 high point. If one has a water pressure and 

 can turn on through a hose, that will be a con- 

 venience. Plenty of water may be used to 

 advantage, but no fixed rate of application can 

 be recommended. 



Cost per ton. — The cost of corn silage per 

 ton varies, and the estimates made by those 

 owning silos vary widely — from 25 cents to $4 

 per ton. At Lafayette, Ind., the writer esti- 

 mated the cost to be $1.50, and this included 

 higher-priced labor than many pay for, and nu- 

 merous other factors, such as taxes on land, etc., 

 that are not taken into account by the farmer. 



