284 
UxjWimeYds in Maldng "EndlarjQ 
One of tlie most curious impressions made on reading the 
several reports returned to rae by correspondents is the total 
absence of any new, " rougli-and-ready," or " scratch method." 
Wherever any sucli independent means have been used, they will 
be found materially the same as those already covered by patents; 
and therefore, whilst they mio^ht, I suppose, be employed by a 
farmer himself, he (lould not sell them to the public. The en- 
silage forage-cake is, in truth, a product of the kneading, press- 
ing, or treading of grass, clover, or forage. Pressure or squeez- 
ing-power can be applied by (1) dead-weights, by (2) weighted 
levers, by (o) chains and screw-tighteners, by (4) wire-ropes or 
other ropes tightened by ratchet apparatus, or (5) by lever and 
hydraulic jacks. Possibly there may be other modified appli- 
ances, but scarcely fresh principles of compression. 
As mentioned above, all these means of pressure have been 
patented : the jack by Mr. C. W.Wilson ; the levers by the Ensilage 
Press Company ; the wire-rope and ratchet by Mr. Johnson ; 
the chains and screws by Messrs. Reynolds and Co. ; the roller 
system by Messrs. Pearson. Only dead-weights apparently re- 
in August 1888, bj' a process particularly simple and within the resources of 
every farmer : — 
" The stack ensilage on my farm having to a great extent in two previous 
years failed from overheating and waste, I carried out in August 1888 tiie making 
of ensilage on the principle of a turnip clamp. 
" Nine acres of a field, which had been laid down to grass about five years, 
were mown on August 2 and following days. An excavation, fifteen yards long 
by eight feet wide, and three feet deep, was first made. The soil, wliich was 
a fair loam with sandy subsoil, was thrown up on either side, and the turf 
carefully stripped, to be afterwards replaced. The bottom was hard dry sand, 
which gave natuial advantage. The ends of the excavation were sloped off 
by an inclined plane rising at the rate of one in five. 
" The grass was brought by one-horse carts and delivered into the trench ; 
they passed in succession over the mass, which was spread evenly by hand. 
After the grass was spread, a roller weighing fifty cwt., and drawn by three 
horses, was taken over it backwards and forwards so as to consolidate it 
between the delivery of each load. At night the roller and carts were left on 
the grass, when it had reached the level of the ground. 
" This process was repeated with the interval of one day, until finally the 
grass was raised three feet six inches above tlie ground, when it was thoroughly 
solid from repeated passage of the roller. The soil was then replaced over it to 
the depth of a foot, including the sods which were replaced. 
" The estimated contents of the pit were fifty tons, a cubic foot of the 
ensilage weighing GG lbs. The pit was opened on December 19, when it had 
sunk two feet, viz. to one foot six inches above the level of the ground, and it 
lias been kept open till March 1889, when it was still as good as at first, and it 
has been eaten freely by young stock through the winter. The temperature as 
taken in the centre of the mass did not exceed about 120° Fahr., and lowered 
gradually. The fermentation was subacid, the grass well preserved, and not 
differing much from hay of a yellow colour. There was no waste, and the 
character of the ensilage was uniform throughout. It was considered by my 
bailiif better than tlie ' pit ' ensilage made in the usual way, and heavily 
weighted with planks and earth. — E. or T. 
