502 



SCIEIJCE, 



[Vol. VI., No. 148, 



tight covers have been successful in some cases. 

 Opinion seems to be in favor of some simple 

 method of lever pressure as economizing labor. 

 Replies as to the influence of the weather, or tem- 

 perature and moisture, show that success has been 

 met with in both wet and dry weather, but that 

 there should be no long exposure to the sun after 

 being cut. Young crops make the best ensilage, 

 and attention should therefore be paid to the con- 

 dition of maturity. The temperature in various 

 silos has been found to vary from no perceptible 

 increase in heat to 150° F. ; and according to the 

 temperature at which fermentation goes on, sour 

 or sweet ensilage is produced. A certain amount 

 of exposure before closing the sUo seems to have 

 been most satisfactory. In some instances the 

 silos have been opened and refilled as often as 

 became expedient, the period extending over 

 several weeks. At other times they have been 

 filled and closed at once, with not entirely satis- 

 factory results, as it has given a very sour ensilage, 

 with strong odor, when the crop was put in wet ; 

 but in other cases the results from grass packed 

 when perfectly wet have been altogether en- 

 couraging, even from mere earth-pits. As regards 

 cost, it is stated that on the whole, as far as present 

 experience enables one to form a judgment, the 

 cost of making ensilage is less than that of mak- 

 ing hay, more especially when wet weather pre- 

 vails. Of 164 recorded opinions 72 make the cost 

 of ensilage less than that of hay when it is made 

 in fine weather, while 72 make it about equal, and 

 20 state that hay-making is cheaper. Deterioration 

 from moulding was generally found for a few 

 inches, but even when there was much deteriora- 

 tion, apparently, and the ensilage was sour and 

 unpalatable, exposure for a few hours was all that 

 was necessary to make stock eat it eagerly. Injury 

 of this description is attributed to loose packing near 

 the walls, and to leaks admitting air at doorways. 

 Cases are rare where deterioration led to dis- 

 couragement. 



The results of feeding stock upon ensilage, 

 especially dairy cows, and its effect on the 

 quality and quantity of milk, the report states as 

 follows : — 



" It is often said to be preferred to all other fodder by 

 dairy stock, as well as by horses, and to be less costly than 

 the usual food. A marked increase in the quantity, and 

 improvement in the quality, of milk and butter, appear 

 generally, and accompany the change from dry fodder to 

 ensilage as part of the regular food, and, when used with 

 cake and meal, there is occasional mention of decided 

 advance in condition. Cows appear, however, in a few 

 instances, to have been fed entirely on ensilage for some 

 months with good results, and it is added in numerous 

 returos that more stock can be kept in winter upon land 

 by the use of ensilage, while it is an excellent and economi- 

 cal substitute for roots. 



" The recorded opinions of those who have tested its 



effects in regard to milk and butter assume the follow- 

 ing proportions : — 



No change 



Improved in quantity and quality 



Decreased quantity and deteriorated quality 



Increased quantity 



Decreased quantity 



Improved quality 



Deteriorated quality 



Improved quality and decreased quantity 



Increased quantity and deteriorated quality 



Favorable results (whether in quantity or quality j 



not stated) j 



Unfavorable results (similarly not stated) 



Total opinions 



294 



13 



"Disagreeable smell and taste are occasionally referred 

 to as having been present in both milk and butter, which 

 often disappeared upon reduction of the quantity of ensi- 

 lage given. With reference to this objection, it is recom- 

 mended that, in feeding dairy cows with ensilage, much of 

 it should not be near them during milking hours, and that 

 persons so employed with it should wash their hands before 

 milking. Ensilage is spoken of generally as a most whole- 

 some and nutritious food for cows, and other stock are 

 said to thrive upon it, especially when given in quantities 

 of about half ensilage in combination with hay and other 

 usual food. The superiority of sweet ensilage is often re- 

 marked upon, though a great many are in favor of the sour 

 kind. 



" Gain in weight is mentiened as having been tested^ 

 while loss of condition, and with cows, diminished quantity 

 of milk, have been noticed after the ensilage made was all 

 disposed of. 



*' There are but few statements which qualify the records 

 in these respects, and further experience will doubtless do 

 much to remedy the disappointment occasionally expressed 

 in regard to first experiments." 



As to the manner of feeding ensilage, the report 

 shows that it is not often used exclusively, but 

 combined with hay, meal, or other rich food, 

 which gives better results. The quantity of 

 ensilage has varied from seven pounds per day, 

 to as much as the animals would eat. The aver- 

 age may be considered as from twenty-five to 

 fifty pounds, according to the age of the animal, 

 when other food is mixed with it. The combina- 

 tions of food are most varied, and many interesting 

 experiments are given, showing a larger yield of 

 milk on an ensilage diet than on others of mixed 

 materials. The almost unanimous testimony of 

 the report is favorable as to the effect on the 

 health of stock, while in some cases the praise of 

 its value is imstinted. 



The replies to the inquiry whether ensilage had 

 been successfully made without a silo, seem to 

 show that it has not frequently been done. Now 

 and then it was made in stacks above ground, 

 or in casks, but with much waste. 



The conclusion expressed in the introduction to 

 the report ends by affirming that, of the impor- 

 tance of ensilage as an auxiliary to other food for 

 animals, whether for dairy, store, or young stock, 

 among cattle as well as other kinds of stock, 



