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XVII. — Experiments on Ensilage conducted at Crawley Mill Farm, 
Wohurn, 1886-7. By Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker, B.A., 
B.Sc, Consulting Chemist to the Society. 
The following is an account of the third set of experiments on 
ensilage conducted at VVoburn, these being a continuation of 
the previous ones made during the winters of 1884-5 and 
1885-6, reports of which have already appeared in this Journal.* 
Whereas in the previous experiments the special object had 
been to determine the value of grass silage as compared with a 
mixed food of roots and hay, in the present instance an endeavour 
was made to arrive at the value of grass made into hay as against 
that of the same grass cut green and converted into silage. For 
this purpose it was essential to take into account, not only the 
actual weight of grass used, but also the acreage of ground 
cleared. The field chosen was one on Birchmoor Farm, 
Woburn, belonging to Mr. Edward Blundell, and was the same 
field from which the grass used in the previous year's experi- 
ments had been taken. The herbage, though not of really fine 
quality, was very fair in character. In order to institute an 
accurate comparison, 5^ acres of ground were carefully measured 
out, and the grass was only cut as it was wanted for carting, not 
being allowed to lie in the field any length of time. Two 
carts going side by side were filled simultaneously, and then 
taken to be weighed. After weighing the contents, one cart 
went to the silo into which the grass was to be filled, and the 
other went to a meadow where the grass was spread and left for 
haying. 
My experience of previous years had shown me the absolute 
necessity of the utmost care in sampling, and accordingly each 
cartload was sampled. A lad, following the cart, drew from the 
grass, as it was being thrown up, handfuls which were at once 
put in a sack, then mixed and weighed in the field. Taking these 
precautions, the silo was filled, and a rick of hay was made, 
each with grass taken as nearly as possible under the same 
conditions. On July 2, 1886, fourteen loads of grass, weighing 
10 tons 11 cwt. 1 qr. 17 lbs., were put into the silo, and at the end 
of the day covered with boards and weighted to some extent. 
During the night the material sank considerably, and next day 
five loads more were added, weighing 4 tons 1 cwt. 1 qr. 3 lbs., 
making a total of 14 tons 12 cwt. 2 qrs. 20 lbs. of grass put into 
the silo. The grass was trodden down by four men, and then 
covered over with boards and weighted with boxes of stones as 
in previous experiments. The silage was accordingly intended 
* 'Journal,' 2ud Seric?, vo'. xxii. p. 483. 
VOL. xxiir. — s. s. 2 E 
