1895 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
637 
FILLING THE SILO AT WHOLESALE. 
A MARVEL OF MODERN FARM PRACTICE. 
Last summer Tiie R. N.-Y stated that the Ellerslie 
stock farm is so well supplied with men and machin¬ 
ery that it is possible to cut, bring from the field, and 
run through the cutter into the silo, 200 tons, or 400,- 
000 pounds of corn stalks in 10 hours ! In order to 
see this thing really done, I visited the farm on Sep¬ 
tember 10 while the cutting was in full blast. It must 
be remembered that Ellerslie is a gentleman’s estate, 
not at all suited by nature for dairy farming. The 
soil is hard and cold—rough and hilly. The barns 
are placed at one end of the farm, so that all the fields 
that are available for crops are from half a mile to a 
mile and a-half away. Mr. Cottrell estimates that, if 
the barns could be located in the center of the farm, 
they would save, in the course of the year, 10,000 
miles of useless travel. As it is, they throw away a 
horse journey to San Francisco and return each year! 
The crops grown on the farm are all used as rough- 
age for the Guernsey cows. Corn, clover, grass, oats 
and peas, and grain fodder—almost all but a portion 
of the grass fed green or put into the silo. The cattle 
are never at pasture, but are fed ensilage or a soiling 
crop every day in the year. The silo capacity is 2,000 
tons. At the start, there was no land on which to 
grow the corn, but patches of old meadow land. Some 
of it had not been plowed for 45 years, and it was so 
poor that it would not cat half a ton of hay to the 
acre. Mr. Cottrell decided to use fertilizers on the 
old grass land. After some study, he selected a mix¬ 
ture containing four per cent of nitrogen, eight of 
phosphoric acid and seven of potash. The stipulation 
was that one-third of the nitrogen must be obtained 
from nitrate of soda, one-third from sulphate of am¬ 
monia, and one-third from fish, bone and tankage. 
The fields were plowed in the fall with the furrows 
well turned up to the weather. In the spring, they 
were cut up with a disc, and smoothed with the 
Acme, after which the corn was planted with drills 
—700 pounds per acre of the fertilizer beiDg used. The 
variety of corn used is the Rural Thoroughbred flint. 
Treated in this way, one field on the best soil, was a 
perfect green forest. Good judges estimate the yield 
at 00 bushels of shelled corn per acre, or over 15 tons 
of ensilage. It is the greatest object lesson as to the 
practical value of chemical fertilizers that one could 
ask for. 
O 
Properly to trace the corn into the silo, we started 
with the crop growing on one of the poorest corn 
fields imaginable. It was rough, stony and sterile. 
The corn was but a fair crop—it was a wonder how it 
ever grew at all. Four men were cutting by hand 
and laying the stalks in convenient bundles. They 
seemed to be making fair progress until an Osborne 
corn harvester went dashing by them as fast as a 
rapid team of horses could walk. Then their work 
seemed like child’s play. That harvester went down 
the row picking up the corn, cutting it close to the 
ground or above as desired, and securely tying it in 
convenient bundles for handling. The corn in this 
field was cut high in order to pass over the many 
stones. 
“There,” said Mr. Cottrell, “is the machine that 
will revolutionize corn growing on a large scale. It 
is the only improved machine 1 ever saw with which 
laboring men did not at first find fault. Corn cutting 
is the meanest work on the farm, and the men are 
glad to have it done by machinery.” 
“ How many men does it displace ?” 
“ Last year we had 25 men at work cutting. In 
this poor corn, you see we have only four and the 
machine. In good corn, the harvester alone will keep 
teams and silo going. We have run it steadily from 
4 A. M. till 8 p. M., and would run it all night if we had 
light enough to avoid the stones. We put a new team 
on it every four hours.” 
“Are there many repairs and breakages?” 
“ Only in the chains. There is really nothing else 
to break. By using heavier chains*and a few different 
adjustments, the machine will be as perfect as a 
wheat binder. It is evidently no toy by the way it 
works in this rough and stony field. It will do better 
work in heavier corn and, of course, will run easier 
on level ground.” 
O 
There were 18 teams at work hauling the corn to 
the cutter. As they drove through the field, the 
bundles, as thrown out by the harvester, were tossed 
across the wagon—the butts all on the left hand side. 
The loads averaged nearly 2,500 pounds of green fod¬ 
der, and followed each other in rapid succession over 
the long ride to the barn. The cutter is placed at the 
extreme end of the barn, with the revolving feed apron 
just at a level with the wagon floor. As the wagons 
drive up, the bundles of stalks are thrown on the 
feeding apron which carries them quickly into the 
jaws of the cutter where they are chopped into three- 
quarter-inch pieces with a roar like that of a buzz 
saw. Mr. Cottrell estimates that the tying of stalks 
in bundles and that feeding device, save the labor of 
six men who were formerly needed to handle the 
loose stalks and stuff them into the cutter. This 
feeder runs like a carrier, and pushes the bundles 
along, only two men being needed to guide them. 
The advantage of having the corn in bundles was 
quickly seeu when a load of loose stalks drove up. 
A Ross cutter is used. This is probably the largest 
one in practical use. The knives are changed and 
sharpened every noon. Running as it does at light¬ 
ning speed, of course a stone or iron passed in with 
the corn would do great injury. Last year, a horse 
shoe got in with the fodder, and damaged things so 
that 75 men were idle for the best part of a day. Here 
is another advantage about the bundles—the work¬ 
men are less likely to pick up stones or trash with 
them. 
As the corn passes through the cutter, it is carried 
on an endless carrier up 45 feet to the top of the three 
great silos, where a horizontal carrier distributes it 
at any desired point. At the time of my visit, nearly 
1,000 tons had been cut. One silo was nearly filled, 
and in this two young men were at work scattering 
the ensilage and tramping it at the corners and sides. 
This tramping was not needed at the bottom of the 
silo, as the great depth gave sufficient weight for set¬ 
tling. Some of the corn was drier than other portions. 
To regulate the moisture, a pipe was arranged just 
over the bottom of the carrier, and through this water 
was sprayed over the chopped corn as it went up to 
the silo. In this way, more or less water could be 
added as needed. This is much better than pouring 
the water into the silo. 
0 
A 25-iiorse power engine pushed the whole thing 
along. While we were watching the cutter, a bell 
rang and the finger on a little indicator flew up to 
show that a certain bearing had been heated up to 140 
degrees. Every bear in fir on the system of cutter and 
carriers is watched in this way—in fact it would be 
impossible for the heat to rise to that point in any 
part of the barn without sounding an alarm. We 
timed a sample load and found that it all passed 
through the cutter in two minutes. In the three 
hours between 1 and 4 p. M., 70 loads were crowded 
through. The best record is one ton in 55 seconds ! 
This immense business is possible only because every 
detail is provided for before the engine starts. If the 
corn fields were nearer the barn, and if the nights 
were light enough, it is probable that 500 tons of 
ensilage could be cut in 24 hours by working night 
and day. While, of course, the 100-acre farmer can¬ 
not hope to copy these great operations, still he can 
learn lessons here that may be applied to his own 
work. This great business shows how steam power 
and improved machinery may be used in agricultural 
operations as well as in manufacturing. Mr. Francisco 
says that he can invest $100,000 in dairying with all 
the aid of improved scientific methods, and pay a 
larger dividend year after year than any legitimate 
Wall Street business. Why not, when we consider the 
immense possibilities for cheapening farm work by 
means of machinery ? These possibilities have never 
been fully realized, chiefly because farms have re¬ 
mained small, and the individual owners have not 
been able to command the capital required to run 
things on a wholesale plan. If the little manufac¬ 
turers of 30 years ago were still working as individ¬ 
uals, instead of being consolidated into great com¬ 
binations, the devices and forces that have been used 
to cheapen manufacturing would not have been de¬ 
veloped. Whether the world would, on the whole, 
have been better for this lack of industrial develop¬ 
ment, is a question. So it is a serious question as to 
whether it is for the country’s good that the business 
of the individual farmer should be taken from him. 
H. W. C. 
THE PROSPECT. 
Two weeks ago, The R. N.-Y. mentioned the war 
which is now being waged against the dealers in 
skimmed and adulterated or diluted milk in this city. 
There is no cessation in the fight ; milk is being 
analyzed, complaints made, offenders arrested and 
tried, and the guilty ones sentenced daily. Rut the 
New York City Hoard of Health is hampered in its 
work. It has no jurisdiction outside the city, that is, 
in the territory where the milk is produced. All it 
can do is to proceed against dealers here, while the 
source of supply—the great fountain head from which 
all milk, good or bad, comes—is beyond their reach. 
Right here is where the State Department of Agricul¬ 
ture should put in its work. Instead of spasmodic 
raids upon dairy herds in search of tuberculous cows, 
it should take measures to suppress the shipment of 
unwholesome milk to any of the cities of the State— 
cut off the stream at its source. Results here tend to 
show that never before has there been such a large 
proportion of poor milk shipped to this city. It is 
even asserted that, under existing conditions, it does 
not pay a farmer to produce good milk, or to improve 
his herd of cows. That the creameries, upon which 
the blame is placed, take from the richer milk a cer¬ 
tain part of the cream, or add a certain amount of 
water, so that it will just pass legal muster. Little 
blame is attached to the farmers, the actual milk pro¬ 
ducers. They are not supposed to benefit by these 
dishonest practices, and if they receive just as much 
for milk with a low per cent of fat, as for that with a 
high per cent, of course it is not to their advantage to 
improve their breeds. Enterprise, under existing con¬ 
ditions, is not rewarded in the territory supplying 
New York with milk. The State authorities have 
the power to correct these evils, and they will have 
the backing of the best and most progressive dairy¬ 
men, for it is to the interest of the latter class to have 
them corrected. Will they do it ? 
0 
We are told of a case where a fox terrier puppy was 
born with a stub tail which never grew over three 
inches long. The ancestors of this puppy for several 
generations had been tail-docked, and it was argued 
that this previous docking had resulted in fixing the 
short-tailed characteristic. Dishorning has now been 
regularly practiced in some herds for nearly 10 years. 
Two years ago, we were told that calves with several 
generations of dishorning behind them, were being 
born with abortive or small horns. We were unable 
then, to trace an actual case of this kind. If any of 
our readers know of such a case, we shall be pleased 
to have them record it. The theory is that continued 
horn cutting will at last produce a polled race of 
cattle. Are there any actual results in this line yet ? 
BUSINESS BITS. 
See the list of grapejvines offeredjby T. C. Kevitt. Athenia, N. J., 
for $1. Mr. Kevitt grows fine stock. 
Those iron kettles must be desirable things on the farm. They 
certainly can’t wear out in a lifetime, and neither frost nor heat 
can damage them. A. II. Crawford, Liverpool, N. Y., is selling 
them. 
Last week, we referred to some of the excellent features of the 
Star drilling machine, but made a slight error in the name of the 
manufacturer. If any one sent for a catalogue and failed to get 
it, he must hold us responsible. The Star Drilling Machine Co., 
Akron, O., are the manufacturers, and they will send catalogue 
on application. 
Anthkax has killed a great many cattle in southern New Jersey 
this year. It is a fatal disease—hard to cure when once estab¬ 
lished in the system. The Pasteur Anthrax Vaccine Company of 
New York purpose to prevent the disease by vaccination about as 
smallpox in humans is treated. You will be interested in their 
pamphlet. Send for it. 
In addition to thoroughbred Jerseys, they make a specialty of 
Jersey grades at Meridale Farm. Besides these, they now offer 
thoroughbred Cheshire pigs. No better strains of these breeds 
can be found, and the farmers of the country are really to be con¬ 
gratulated on being able to purchase such desirable stock. For 
particulars, write Ayer & McKinney, Meredith, Delaware County, 
N. Y. 
It may be a good plan to haul grain to mill and give a good 
share of it to the miller for grinding it, or pay him liberally for 
doing.it, while the same amount of labor and less time would grind 
it at home; but we could never see the economy in it. The mill at 
home always seems to us like a good investment. The Victory 
mill is made in four sizes. Write, Thomas Roberts, Springfield, 
O. , for catalogue and prices. 
Potato growers who have used the Pease sorting machine, say 
that it is one of the best time savers on the farm. It also sorts 
apples, onions, etc. If all shippers for the city trade could realize 
the advantage of shipping assorted fruits and vegetables, the 
manufacturers could not get these sorters out fast enough to 
supply the demand. It is safe to say that the extra price realized 
for shipments would pay for the sorter three or four times over 
in a season. F. B. Pease, 510 South Clinton Street, Rochester, N. 
Y., is the manufacturer. 
It’s a mistaken idea to suppose that a young man or woman 
who intends to spend his or her life on the farm, has no need of a 
business education ; on the contrary, no class of people in the 
world more needs the advantages of a business education. Even 
though you are not quite convinced that you will take the course, 
send a postal card to Rochester Business College, Rochester, N. 
Y., and get their book that tells all about the course and its 
advantages. Then if you conclude to take the course, you will 
have all the advantages of a first-class school. 
When we were boys, our mothers sat up nights patiently to add 
stitch after stitch to the stockings for the family, and even the 
afternoon caller carried her knitting to improve the social hour 
in the interest of the boys. How different now when a whole 
stocking may be knitted, by the use of a machine, in a few 
minutes. Gearhart’s family knitter has been improved and per¬ 
fected until any one can use it, and do good and satisfactory 
work. If the men did the knitting, every house would have one. 
We would like to know the man who would refuse to buy one for 
his wife. Write J. E. Gearhart, Box E, Clearfield, Pa., for sample 
of work and particulars. 
Thebe is no more truly American institution in our country 
than the famous Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle al¬ 
ready 17 years old and exerting an influence upon the education 
and patriotism of the people which is incalculable. One year out 
of every four in the C. L. S. C. is devoted to reading upon Ameri¬ 
can topics, and thousands of busy men and women have learned 
to prize highly the opportunity which this systematic plan gives 
them for renewing their acquaintance with the principles which 
underlie American history and institutions. The coming year is 
the “ American Year” in the C . L. S. C., and an attractive set of 
books written by some of our brightest university men will be 
offered to all students of the course. Write John H. Vincent, 
Department 17, Buffalo, N. Y. for particulars. 
