The late Mr. H. M. Jenkins. 
195 
"November 5th, 1886. 
Ensilage. — " Although it is very late and it will be necessary to be 
careful in making the silage, considering the large quantity of water which it 
must naturally contain, I do not think the task is impossible. I would 
endeavour before jjutting it into a silo to partially dry it in a barn, as you 
would for the purpose of haymaking. The planks with weights would be a 
sufficient covering, although they are not jointed ; and I should consider a 
weight of about 100 lbs. to the square foot sufficient ; probably less would be 
desirable. As to the length of time it may be kept and how soon it may be 
used, these are matters which depend entirely on the condition in which the 
grass is when it is put into the silo. This can be ascertained by observation 
from time to time. The best way to feed stock with silage is to mix it with 
Other food, especially dry Ibod, and not to depend entirely upon it. The 
more moist the silage, the more dry food ought to be mixed with it." 
" November 22nd, 1886. 
Aghicxtltural Education. — " I enclose a syllabus of the subjects of ex- 
amination for the Junior Scholarships offered by this Society, together with a 
sample of the examination papers. It is probable that this examination is too 
advanced for the boys who would attend the schools in small country towns 
under the scheme which you indicate, but at the same time I do not see that 
there is anything to prevent the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society 
from extending their educational efforts, if they found that there was a 
reasonable chance of the offer of prizes to schools of a still lower grade being 
fairly responded to. 
" At the present time there is nothing in England which may properly be 
called primary agricultural instruction, and the Educational Department 
have not taken any steps towards carrying out the recommendations of the 
Eoyal Agricultural Commissioners on Technical Instruction based upon my 
detailed report to them." 
On the 16th of the following month I find a last letter in the 
letter-book, dictated at Barnet, speaking of serious illness, but 
answering fully an enquiry on the ensilage subject. 
Two other agricultural services rendered by Mr. Jenkins may 
be mentioned — still in connection with the Royal Agricultural 
Society before the short reference which must be made to work 
done outside of his official position. 
His ' Hints on Butter-making,' published in a pamphlet which 
has had a very wide circulation, was written at the request of 
the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society. The simplest 
instructions are given, and yet they are elaborately complete : 
— Milk is not skimmed early enough ; it thus becomes sour and 
takes up curd, which may increase the quantity but injures the 
quality and price ; there is great carelessness in making it, the 
butter-milk being left in it ; the neighbourhood of dirt and foul 
smells, the effect of unskilful milking, and of bad food and 
bad water ; the imperfect washing of vessels : — all these subjects 
are discussed. The best English batter is the best in the 
world, but the difficulty in marketing it lies in the impossi- 
bility of securing uniformity. Two pats had been sent to 
Tooley Street, which were first-rate. The answer was, " If your 
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