488 Report on the Experiments on Ensilage conducted at 
universally recognized, as is the difficulty in many districts of 
growing roots to supply this want ; and also the uncertaintj , in 
variable seasons and with adverse climates, of converting grass or 
clover into good hay. Practically the question might be put 
thus : " Will the farmer who is unable to grow profitably, or 
procure at a reasonable price, roots to mix with hay-chaff as a 
winter food of a succulent nature, find an equally good or a better 
substitute for both in silage ? " Or, again, " Will the farmer who, 
on account of bad weather or unsuitable climate, is unable to make 
good hay, find that by the system of ensilage he is yet able to 
save his crop of grass or clover and, independently of the weather, 
ensure a valuable supply of succulent food for winter keep? " 
The foods decided on for the two sets were : — 
Set 1. Set 2. 
Decorticated cotton-cake. Decorticated cotton-cake. 
Maize meal. Maize meal. 
, Hay-cha£f. Grass silage. 
Swedes. 
As this was the first experiment of the kind, and it was not 
known how the bullocks would take to the silage, or what 
quantities they would eat, an experimental period, January 12th 
to January 29th, was taken to determine these points. During 
this period several changes and substitutions had to be made 
owing to some of the bullocks not taking well to the food ; but 
finally eight settled down well, and were weighed on January 
29th as follows : — 
To receive Roots and Hay-chaff. 
To receive Silage. 
cwts. qrs. lbs. 
cwts. 
qrs 
lbs. 
No. 1 .. .. 
9 2 0 
9 
1 
2 
No. 2 .. .. 
9 3 0 
No. 6 
9 
3 
14 
No. 3 .. .. 
10 0 21 
No. 7 
10 
0 
7 
No. 4 .. 
9 0 0 
No. 8 
8 
1 
12 
38 1 21 
37 
2 
7 
It may be mentioned here that the weighings were alwavs 
taken at the same hour, viz. 9 A.M., three hours after the first 
feeding. 
In determining the quantities of the various foods, the 
Committee were much aided by Sir John Lawes, who in - a 
memorandum gave his views and recommendations as to the 
carrying out of the proposed experiment. The main points of 
this memorandum, based upon his own experiences at Rotham- 
sted, were as follows : — 
1. That the two sets of foods to be compared should agree 
