THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 245 



center is that it is not packed closely enough against the sides 

 to prevent the air from reaching the heated silage, thus furnish- 

 ing mold-making conditions. 



There are several patented distributing devices on the 

 market. The majority of these are very helpful in filling the 

 silo: A very simple and cheap device may be made by sewing 

 together a number of sacks (with the ends cut out) making a 

 tube. This is attached to the end of the blow pipe and manipu- 

 lated by a man inside of the silo. In this way the corn can be 

 evenly distributed over the entire surface of the silo. The pack- 

 ing of the corn is an important point. True, in time, it will 

 settle of its own accord, but more corn can be put in a silo and 

 much better silage made when the packing is given careful at- 

 tention. Tramping on the part of the men is helpful. The best 

 way, however, is to use two good, reliable men with cement 

 tampers. The best silage the writer has ever seen was in a silo 

 which had been packed by cement tampers. There was not a 

 particle of waste after a few inches on the top had been re- 

 moved. 



Adding Water During Filling. 



Ordinarily corn cut at the proper time does not need any 

 water added to make good silage. There are times, however, 

 when it is necessary to add water to the corn in filling the silo. 

 The corn in the silo at the time of filling should feel moist; if 

 not moist, water should be added. Under any of the following 

 conditions water should be added to the corn when filling the 

 silo : First, when the corn is too ripe, and the leaves and part 

 of the stalks are dried out to such an extent that they will not 

 pack well. Second, when the corn is severely frozen before it 

 has reached the proper degree of maturity, liberating the moist- 

 ure and leaving the leaves and stems dry. Third, when refilling 

 the silo late in the fall with shocked corn it is always necessary 

 to add water. 



There are two ways to add the water. First, put a hose in 

 the silo and thoroughly saturate the dry portions, especially 



