at Home and Abroad. 
163 
from the floor, for emptying. Its first cost was about 15Z., and I expect it 
will last for years. It was half filled with tares in July, and filled up with 
clover and rye in September, the former being chopped to Ij-inch lengths, 
and the latter put in unchopped. The tares were put in just before podding, 
and the clover and rye when ripe. Salt, at the rate of 3 lb. to 1 cwt., was 
added ; but I deem it unnecessary. 
Mode of procedure in filling would be to fill as much as possible in a day 
(fine), and weight immediately afterwards. Rain-water cannot improve 
silage. The fodder was compressed with scoriae bricks 9" X 5" X 5", the 
weight of each being 18 lbs. They cost 10s. per ton. They fit 9-inch planks 
(2 inches thick), which lay on the silage with nothing between. The total 
amount of pressm'e I consider to have been as follows : — 
Tares 100 lbs. per square foot. 
Clover and rye 130 lbs. per square foot. 
The weiglits of the crops put into the silo were 6 tons of tares, and 5 tons 
of clover and rye. The expense in labour of filling the silo, &c., was 10s. per 
ton chopped (tares), 5s. per ton unchopped (clover and rye). A man and 
boy can remove the weights in one hour, and it will take the same time to put 
them on. The weights rest on the side-walls wheu not used. 
The silo is emptied by means of the side-door before mentioned, and the 
material is cut vertically like a stack in 9-inch breadths to suit the boards. 
The " silo" is conveniently built in a corner of the building. By ensilage I 
find that I obtain a succulent food during the winter. The tares are un- 
satisfactory ; they are not rotten, but have a disagreeable smell ; beasts will 
not eat them. 'The second cut of clover and rye (put in on top of the tares) is 
first-rate, with a pleasant smell ; stock eat it greedily, and do well with a small 
proportion of dry food. If tares can be successfully siloed, they would greatly 
enhance the value of strong-clay farms, such as we have in this district. 
They would take the place of turnips or bare fallow in rotation, and 6 or 
8 tons per acre might be grown, and we cannot grow much more than this 
in turnips. The land could also be cleaned after the removal of the tares. 
With regard to the keeping qualities of the fodder, I should say that the 
silo has now been opened ten weeks, and is as good as when first cut into. 
The silo is not drained, and no liquid is at the bottom of it, although the 
tares are rather moister at the bottom than at the top. Clover and rye does 
not show much difference. My experience with tares is disappointing, as I 
had great hopes of this material on account of the bulk we can grow per acre, 
and also their feeding properties in a green state. I could not wish for 
anything sweeter than the clover and rye, and have no doubt at all as to its 
wholesomeness as food for stock. My experience is with young stock, from 
calves to twelve months old. It is possible the tares were cut too early. 
Tares have naturally a strong taste, and a more palatable food might be 
obtained by allowing the juices to become more absorbed in the plant, 
17. Mr. W. Stohart, Pepper Arden, Northallerton. — I have two silos, one 
being 27 feet 6 inches long, by 11 feet 6 inches wide, and 12 feet 6 inches 
deep ; the other 18 feet long, by 8 feet 3 inches wide, and 10 feet deep. The 
bottom of the largest silo is 3 feet below the surface of the ground, and 
that of the smaller one is only 1 foot below. The silos are really con- 
verted buildings, which are peculiarly well adapted to the purpose, both 
from situation and structure. They are covered with a permanent roof, 
and although I have had no experience with uncovered silos, I should not 
recommend them. The silos were filled from time to time, commencing on 
June 30th. At present (August 10th) they are full to within 2 feet of the 
top, and I fill as the material subsides. Directly after each filling, the weights 
are at once applied. It is not possible to fill either of my silos at one 
