220 
Report on the Practice of Ensilage, 
rectangular. They are filled very easily by bringing the fodder to them 
direct ; and an easy ascent, starting from the bottom of the silos, allows the 
little vehicles which carry the fodder to the cattle-troughs to be easily filled. 
I estimate the cost of making the two silos at 2400 francs (96?.). Tlie time 
they will last depends upon the quality of the concrete, and that is indefinite 
when the work is well done. 
I filled the silos in May and September, the maize having been put in 
about the 20th of September, and meadow-grass, and various spring crops 
at the earlier date. I pit the crops when they are green, and at the com- 
mencement of their flowering stage. Grass and other spring crops are put 
in whole, but maize is chopped completely to a length of about 2 centi- 
metres (not quite 1 inch). Neither salt nor straw is mixed with the pitted 
fodder, and the silos are filled as quickly as possible, but at several intervals ; 
and each time the materials are well trodden. To obtain good results, the 
fodder should be pitted as quickly as possible ; but by filling the silos at 
various intervals, they are better turned to use, because a greater quantity of 
fodder can thus be stored in them. Each silo is filled in less than a week. 
I weight the fodder each time I place any in the silos, by first having it 
covered with planks, and then loaded with big stones, to the extent of 400 
kilogrammes at least per square mfeti e (say 80 lbs. to the square foot). The 
weight of the crop put in is nearly the same as that of the pitted fodder taken 
out. The fodder is cut down vertically, like hay in a stack. I have found 
the process of ensilage to be an economical way of preserving crops, and to 
give the advantage of a green food in all seasons; and especially in my case 
it enables me to grow maize on a large scale. A proper proportion of this 
pitted fodder introduced into the daily rations of the cattle is a beneficial 
practice for milch cows as well as breeding and fattening animals. 
When the fodder has been properly preserved, it can be consumed as 
required, without any fear of perceptible deterioration. It is always better to 
cut only a slice from the silo, in proportion to the daily needs of the farm. The 
silo need not be opened more than every two or three days, but I take from 
mine every day. Good preservation of fodder depends entirely on : (1) The 
state in which the fodder has been harvested and preserved ; it should not 
be in a too matured condition. (2) An energetic consolidation. 
It appears to me that the pitted fodder ought only to constitute a portion 
of the food of the cattle, and not the entirety. In the proportion of ^ or J 
of the total nutritive value, its employment is advantageous. I mix the 
pitted fodder with the dry food, namely, hay and straw previously chopped 
up. But it is necessary that each farmer should make comparative trials ; 
for as with hay, so it is with pitted fodder, according to the seasons, and the 
skill employed, fodders of different values will be obtained. Ensilage, as I have 
already said, furnishes me economically and at all seasons with a green crop. 
It lightens our hay-time ; and permits me finally to get in the greater part of 
the green maize-crop. The instrument for chopping the maize must be 
powerful ; and the centrifugal cutter of M. Albaret is the only one in my 
o^jinion which gives a good result. 
5. Mons. le Comte Eoederer, Bois Bousscl, par Essai, Dep. de V Orne. — I have 
four silos, of different sizes, containing from 120 to 200 cubic metres each,' and 
all below the level of the soil. They are built of stone or brick, cemented, 
and were dug inside a building already existing. I have experimented with 
silos simply dug out of a dry soil, and filled with grass. The fodder, covered by 
earth, kept very well, but I did not continue the use of this method, my built 
silos being sufficient for my purposes. It is difficult to state the cost, almost 
none of the materials having been bought. With careful repairing they may 
last a great many years. The largest was filled this year (1883) in May ; 
