Maize Ensilage. 



8i 



Experimental Farm, Ottawa, to ascertain the extent to 

 which the feeding value of the maize suffered by ensiling. 

 Samples from the bottom, middle, and top of a silo 30 feet 

 high were analysed and the results compared with the analyses 

 of maize before being put into the silo. Although the data 

 do not enable the total loss to be calculated, the following 

 results were obtained : — 



As regards dry matter, there was a close accordance between 

 the percentages in the corn as first put in and in the silage 

 taken from the floor of the silo, but at 2-|- feet from the 

 bottom, and in the middle of the silo, the dry matter exceeded 

 by five per cent, or more that of the corn when put in. It 

 would appear that there was considerable loss by leakage 

 owing to the unavoidably immature condition of the maize. 

 At the top of the silo, on the other hand, the moisture had 

 increased by 4 per cent., this being presumably due to the 

 combustion by fermentation of the dry matter, in which the 

 nutrients (starch, sugar, etc.) suffered most. 



The effect of ensiling upon the nitrogenous compounds was 

 marked, the albuminoids, or flesh formers, being largely 

 reduced to the less nutritive form, amides. This was most 

 marked in the middle of the silo. There was always some 

 loss of nitrogen, which was least in the middle of the silo. 



In considering these deductions, it should be borne in 

 mind that the maize put into the silo was less mature than 

 usual, owing to the unfavourable season ; and the larger 

 proportion of water no doubt accounts in great measure for 

 the extent of the deterioration. It has been well established 

 that mature maize, that is, corn that has reached the glazing 

 condition, yields ensilage of a greater feeding value than if 

 less mature, and the destructive changes noted are largely 

 accelerated by the great percentage of moisture in immature 

 corn. 



[Report on Experimental Farms, Canada, 1 90 1.] 



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