19-21.] 



Silage for Dairy Cows. 



515 



reasonable certainty the substitution of silage may not be so 

 profitable. Although the cost of feeding stuffs, purchased and 

 home-grown, has fallen considerably since these estimates were 

 drawn up, the fall in prices does not alTect the relative economic 

 position of the two rations. 



Conclusions. — In the experiment under consideration silage 

 has proved a very efficient substitute for mangolds for dairy 

 cows. 



The quality, quantity, and flavour of the milk were n(«t in 

 the least impaired by the use of silage ; the evidence available 

 rather tends to show a slight improvement in the yield of the 

 milk. 



The silage ration has undoubtedly proved to be more 

 economical than the mangold ration, the cost being 9.9d. per 

 gallon of milk compared with 13. 4d. in the case of the mangold 

 ration. 



By the use of silage it has been possible to reduce the con- 

 sumption of purchased feeding stuffs to a very considerable 

 extent. A saving at the rate of £2 16r. 6d. per head in the 

 cost of purchased feeding stuffs for winter feeding (six months) 

 was effected. In addition a very considerable saving in oat 

 straw or hay can be secured. 



The season of 1920 was favourable to the mangold crop in 

 Eesex, and it seems fair to conclude that for an average season 

 the general economic result would be more markedly in favour 

 of silage. During a dry season, like the present one, a silage 

 ci'op is able to conserve the soil moisture by covering the ground 

 early in the spring, and a satisfactory crop results. In the case 

 of mangolds the condition of the soil at the time of sowing, the 

 subsequent spell of dry weather, and the fact that the crop does 

 not protect the soil from the direct rays of the sun for many 

 week?, seriously militates against the growth of a satisfactory 

 crop. 



