at Home and Abroad. 
2L9 
Whers, by pressure, the fermentation of pitted fodder docs uot surpass the 
degree of an " alcoholic fermentation," the only deterioration that takes place is 
in the parts touching the sides of the silo, or at the top of the mass. To say 
that there is no fermentaiion, would be to deny the existence of the natural 
laws which govern accumulations of vegetable matter. There is heat, intro- 
duction of the atmosphere, escape of gas, and fermentation. The essential 
iwint is that the fermentation should stop at the proper time. I have 
never remarked changes arising from the vertical cutting when the silage is 
being used. Then, the fodder is well packed, and the emptying can last two 
months without the material being deteriorated. It is, of course, understood 
that the silo must be emptied jirecistly in accordance with the progress of 
the cutting. I attribute successful results of preservation to the settling and 
pressure of the material from the beginning of the process. All crops can be 
pitted green. The possibility of this should induce agriculturists to devote 
two and three times the area of land to the growing of these crops, although 
there may be no longer any necessity to consume them almost the day they are 
harvested. They can be pitted for use during the winter, and even sometimes, 
in the case of early crops, thej' can be kept for consumption during the dry 
season. Trifolium is among these last. Ensilage, in fact, has totally 
changed the question of green crops. As to the feeding-value of pitted 
maize and other green crops, it would be difficult at present to give the exact 
figures. I believe that it is excellent for milch-cows, draught oxen, and 
fattening beasts.* — January ISth, 1884. 
On tire 1st of October, 1883, I witnessed the filling of one of 
M. Lecouteux's silos, having on previous occasions witnessed 
the utilisation of a portion of the contents of his and neigh- 
bouring silos. The only remarks which I find it necessary to 
make are, (1) that, owing to the use of Albaret's centrifugal 
cutter, one man was enabled to keep the maize equally spread 
over the silo ; (2) that the whole of the work w as stopped for 
half an hour before each meal-time, and for that interval every- 
body employed in the business was sent into the silo to stamp 
down as much as possible what had been put in since the last 
'■^promenade," the women being specially told off to tread the 
portions nearest to the walls ; (3) that the weighting material 
consisted of bricks laid upon boards, and very carefully arranged. 
Our well-known honorary member, M. Lecouteux, is the 
author of one of the best books on the subject. It is entitled 
' Le Mais, et les autres fourrages verts : Culture et Ensilage.' 
The second edition was published in 1883, 
■i. JM. de Monicault, VtrsaiUeicx par ViUars-Jcs- Domtes (Ahi') France. — I 
have two twin silos (i.e. a double silo), each being 24 metres (80 feet) in 
length, 3 metres (10 feet) in depth, and one 2i metres (8^ feet), and the other 
mfetres (llf feet) in breadth, representing for both a capacity of 432 cubic 
metres (say 1(5,000 cubic feet). One-third of each silo is above the soil, and 
two-thirds below. The bottom and sides are constructed of concrete. They 
have no permanent roof. They are economically made, and their form is 
* Tlie maize-cutting at Cer9ay has been done this year with the centrifugsl 
cutter of Albaret. This instrument is greatly suited for silos which are filled 
from above (see pp. 224 et seq.) 
