ILLNOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. Ill 



exposed to the air while feeding. Better build them longer 

 with cross partitions, and more of them, if much stock is to be 

 kept. A silo 12x12x15 ^ eet deep is a very convenient size, and 

 will hold 43 tons, enough to keep 10 cows five months exclusive 

 of other feed, but if supplemented by a little hay or fodder will 

 keep 14 cows the same length of time. 



Ensiloed feed varies greatly as to quality, depending largely 

 upon the crop when cut; length of cut; weight applied; condi- 

 tion of silo, etc. The subject of sweet ensilage has attracted a 

 great deal of attention the past few seasons. The manner of 

 making sweet ensilage is to fill the silo slowly, and allow it to 

 heat till it reaches 130 or hotter. This temperature destroys 

 the bacteria and leaves the ensilage entirely free from acidity. 

 The cutting should be fine. Mr. GofFart says the best ensilage 

 he ever had was cut 3-10 inches long, while a neighbor of his 

 cut 7,y 2 inches long and had very poor ensilage; other condi- 

 tions being the same. Our feed, this year, was cut one inch 

 long, and would have been better if cut one-half that length; it 

 packs closer and the air does not work in so much from the ex- 

 posed surface while feeding. The weight should be put on 

 soon after the silo is filled, and may be of anything that has 

 weight; stone is generally used, as it is cheap, convenient to 

 handle, and can be thrown out without being damaged by sun 

 and rain. Earth is sometimes used and has the advantage of 

 serving both as a cover and weight. The amount used varies, 

 some use 50 lbs. to the square foot of surface, while others 200 

 lbs. We think 100 lbs. none too much. 



In filling the silo the ensilage should be dropped as near the 

 center as possible, being spread and tramped as fast as filled. 

 The cover may be of plank, board, tarred paper; even earth 

 thrown on will mix with the ensilage very little, and will follow 

 the feed if it settles more in one place than another. In feeding, 

 the ensilage is usually taken direct from the silo, but in cold 

 weather a better way is to take out enough for the next day's 

 feed, mix bran or whatever grain is to be fed with it, and place 

 in a close box with a cover. If the ensilage is frozen any, I add 



