36 



stalks outwards, and although this should be done consistently to make- 

 the stack as square and as solid as possible on the outside, it has not 

 been found necessary on any other ground. In the body of the stack 

 the stalks may be placed anyhow. 



The number of hands employed on the stack depends altogether on 

 its size and the rapidity with which the material is delivered. When 

 the stack has grown too high to hoist the stalks with a hay fork, an 

 ordinary jib is fixed, worked by a horse, and the ultimate height of the 

 stack is dnterrained according to the height of the pole to which the jib 

 is attached. 



Generally speakino. the stack should be as square as possible, by 

 which means the greate;5L pressure by the material itself is procured. 



No attempt to guage the heat of the stacks at any period of their 

 existence was made, except, perhaps, in a casual way by the hand. 



It has been found, however, in practice, that on a stack 24 feet 

 square at its base, if the materiiil is placed upon the stack at the rate of 

 more tha a 25 tons a day, there is a tendency for the layers nearest the 

 ground to get more than their share of the pressure, the result being 

 sour ensilage at that particular part of the stack. 



Finally, when the stack is made as high as possible — say 25 feet a 

 few posts and rails, answering to the description before given, are 

 placed on top, merely to prevent the wind from disturbing the top layers. 

 In the course of about six weeks the height of the stack becomes reduc- 

 ed by its own pressure to about two-thirds of the original height. 



Some covering to prevent rain from entering the immediate top of 

 the stack is desirable, but not really necessary, as it is found that a cer- 

 tain loss occurs both at the top and sides of stack ensilage under any 

 circumstances. The loss, however, is more apparent than real, because 

 pigs will pick over the damaged material, and what they reject is left in 

 their yards, and soon becomes a satisfactory manure. The ensilage 

 made as described is sweet, with an appetising smell, which pervades 

 the near neighbourhood, and is attractive to both man and beast. 

 During the cold windy weather the ensilage has proved itself to be a 

 food second to none, for, in addition to its nutritive qualities, the milk is 

 of the best. The hospital herd are, in fact, an object lesson to the 

 district. 



It is but fair to add that the cows have, aa additions to the ensilage 

 either a small quantity of wheaten or oaten chafif or bran. 



To sum up the experience gained here ; — 



1. That maize is an eminently satisfactory crop for the purpose. 



2. The stack is an absolute success, except for the sliglu loss at the 

 top and sides. 



3. Pressure is not necessary. 



4. it seems impossible to make bad ensilage under the circum- 

 stances described. 



