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Report on the Practice of Ensilage 
tition of those of 1882, on a neighbouring field, but with the 
addition of lime to the land, again showed that finelj-ground 
coprolites possess a substantial manurial value : but they no 
longer proved better than superphosphate ; and it is my opinion, 
based upon the early appearance of the young crop in the field 
in its earlier stages, that the superphosphate would have proved 
itself very decidedly better than che ground coprolites, had the 
crop not been crippled and spoilt, as already described. 
17, Great Tower Street, London, 
Februanj 1884. 
IV. — Report on the practice of Ensilage, at Home and Abroad. 
By H. M. Jenkins, F.G.S., Secretary of the Society and Editor 
of the ' Journal.' 
Introduction. 
In the spring of last year it was suggested by Mr. James Howard, 
M.P., at one of the meetings of the " Journal Committee," that 
the time was arriving when the Royal Agricultural Society 
might usefully set on foot an investigation into the process of 
Ensilage, and its suitability for the preservation of English 
fodder crops. Having inspected many silos on the Continent 
during a series of years, but mostly those in which green maize 
is stored, I felt that the investigation was one which ought 
to be undertaken by a practical farmer who had not already 
committed himself to any opinion on the subject, who could 
observe well, and who could put the results of his observations 
into a readable and useful shape. No doubt there are many such 
men in England, and a list of some of them was made. A few 
of these gentlemen were invited in rotation ; each one seemed, 
at first, pleased with the idea, considered it carefully, and finally 
declined, chiefly on the score that he could not be absent 
from his farm at the periods and for so long as seemed to be 
necessary. As time that could not be recalled was rapidly 
being consumed in this manner, the Journal Committee ex- 
pressed their willingness to accept my services, faute de mieux, 
rather than that another season should be lost. I have done 
my best, under all the circumstances, to carry out their wishes, 
having seen a considerable number of silos filled, some opened, 
and a great many in full work, both in England and France. 
I have also obtained and handed to Dr. Voclcker for analysis a 
large number of illustrative specimens. It is infinitely to be 
regretted that Dr. Voclcker's promised contribution on the 
" Chemistry of Ensilage " cannot accompany this Report, owing 
