280 The Silo and Silage-stack Competition, 1885-86. 
from stone-lime mixed with sharp river-sand. Drains are provided beneath 
the structure for the purpose of carrying away possible pressure from spring 
water. The material iised in the construction of the roof is red deal and 
22-gauge corrugated iron of the best quality. Its cost, including the covering 
of the side, was 170?. The total cost of the silo was 542?., the remaining 
items being made up by charges for oak posts, drains, galvanised wire and 
shooting gates, and sundry boarding. The compartments at the north end 
of the silo, which is reached by the steps referred to, are Sj feet below the 
passage at the bottom of the flight, and in all cases the doors or openings into 
each compartment reach almost to the top of the silos. At the time of our 
visit five of the silos were filled, four of these having stacks built above them, 
and one was a silage stack, which is alluded to in the Report of the stack 
competition. 
The first silo opened for our inspection may be termed No. 1. In this 
were 39 cart^-loads of clover and rye-grass, averaging 1900 lbs. each, 39 loads 
of trifolium, which averaged over 15 tons to the acre, and, at the top, 
18 loads of grass. In all cases the silage was unchaffed. The clover was 
rather light green in colour, and had an alcoholic smell ; but the trifolium 
and grass, which were slightly darker in colour, especially the latter, appeared 
to be much more acid. The depth of the silage in this compartment was 
10 feet. It was cut right across the face, and was extremely even in 
appearance as regards each layer, the average weight being about 50 lbs. to 
the cubic foot. Mr. Harris had adopted the plan, which was precautionary, 
of ensiling the trifolium and tlie clover in alternate layers. The whole was 
exceedingly well preserved, the sweet vernal, foxtail, timothy, and the fescue 
grasses being all preserved as perfectl3' as possible, and indeed the trifolium 
and rye-grass were equally so. A layer of about 4 inches in thickness was 
spoiled at the top, and a triangular piece, similar to that found in almost 
every silo, was also spoiled at the sides of the top, but upon the floor and at 
the sides for at least 9 feet upwards the silage was quite perfect. 
The quantity of silage in the second silo opened was 11 feet in depth, and 
consisted of 81 loads of grass at the bottom, which was commenced to be put 
into the silo on July 16th, 6 loads of vetches and 20 loads of oats at the top, 
in alternate layers, which were finished on the 10th of August. The oats 
were carried wet, but had the flavour of tamarinds, both to the smell and 
taste. The grass, which was a very heavy crop, was of poor quality, and 
contained a quantity of plantain, which Mr. Harris pointed out was well 
preserved, although when made into hay it is generally wasted by drying 
and breaking up into a powder. The silage in this compartment was quite 
good to the top, if we except about 3 inches on the surface, and a small pro- 
portion at the corners and top sides. The grass reached to 6 feet 6 inahes in 
height, and the oats and vetches were 4 feet, the remaining portion of the 
space being occupied by rushes and rubbish with which the silage was covere<l 
in place of boards. For weighting, Mr. Harris used concrete blocks 1 foot 
square, and weighing 130 lbs. They are made of stone and cement, and a 
handle for lifting is let in at the top. He also showed us, although these were 
not in use, some tcrra-cotta 28 lb. weights, costing 45s. a ton, indentations 
for the fingers being provided at each end. Tliey are 12 in. by 6 in. by 7 in. 
thick in size, and are made at the Marland Clay Works, North Devon. A 
quantity of the silage was, at our request, taken to the sheep in tlie fields, 
and to the Devon cattle in the stalls, and although it was of the coarsest 
quality, it was greedily eaten for the first time, no hesitation being exhibited 
by any of the auim;ds. In answer to a question respecting the convenience 
of moving the concrete blocks, which arc generally stacked on the central 
G feet wall, Mr. Harris said that about forty loads will fill each silo the first 
time, the operation occupying from two to three days, Mr. Harris preferring 
