20 



Maize as a Fodder and Silage Crop, [april, 



We compared green maize with grass, but as silage is fed in 

 February and March it is only fair to compare it with mangolds ; 

 unfortunately, such a comparison is possible only in a very 

 general way. Silage contains more ether extract, but much of 

 this consists of acid and only little fat is present. The amount 

 of nitrogen is about the same in both, in both, too, it is largely 

 present in non-protein combinations, known as amino-acids, 

 amides, &c. There is a considerable difference in the amount 

 of nitrogen free extract, of which mangolds contain 9/6 per cent., 

 chiefly in the form of sugar, while silage contains only 5 1 3 per 

 cent., mainly as easily attacked celluloses with a certain amount 

 of acid. On the other hand, silage contains a large amount of 

 fibre, and mangolds only a little. The total dry matter is much 

 the same in both. 



The great difference in the amount and the nature of the 

 nitrogen free extract strongly suggests that silage has less 

 feeding value than mangolds. This conclusion is also supported 

 bv general experience with stock on the College farm. It has 

 always been noticed that stock preferred mangolds to silage, 

 and they seemed to do better on it. American experience is 

 exactly the reverse, but their silage is much richer in nitrogen 

 free extract and in drv matter than ours. 





English Silage. 



American Silage.* 



Dry matter 



Nitrogen free extract ... 



Per cent. 

 13-0 

 5-38 



Per cent. 

 21-8 

 iro 



* Mean of 99 analyses ; quoted by Henry in " Feeds and Feeding" 



A comparison made on similar lines between silage and roots 

 shows that silage is probably inferior to them also ; but notwith- 

 standing its inferiority to roots or mangolds, it is well known to 

 be quite a useful food, readily taken by bullocks and also, with 

 certain exceptions, by dairy stock, when they have become 

 accustomed to it. With proper care, too, the milk is not tainted. 



During the process of ensilage there is considerable loss of 

 weight. It is sometimes supposed that this is chiefly due to the 

 evaporation of water, but the above analyses show that this 

 cannot be the case since silage generally contains more water 

 than the original maize. There is an actual loss of nutritive 

 material, and the value of ensilage to the practical man depends 

 entirely on the extent of these losses. 



