378 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. VIII, No. 10 
than antiseptic silage, has been made, with results of some value; but the 
most conclusive evidence is obtained by the determination of the rate 
of change in various phenomena of the fermentation under normal con¬ 
ditions. Curves plotted from these data show that bacteria are mainly 
responsible for acid 
production and the 
concomitant disap¬ 
pearance of sugars. 
Alcohol is formed first 
by plant enzyms and 
later by yeasts. Pro¬ 
tein is hydrolyzed first 
by enzyms and later 
b y microorganisms. 
Carbon dioxid evolu¬ 
tion seems to be very 
largely due to respira¬ 
tory or enzymic activi¬ 
ties, but yeasts prob¬ 
ably have a share in 
its production after the 
first day or two. Mi¬ 
croorganisms are prob¬ 
ably largely respon¬ 
sible for the heating of 
DAYS 
Fig. 13.—Curves showing the rate of evolution of carbon dioxid. 
(Curves 2 and 3 are coincident during the first one-half day.) 
the silage. Both kinds of factors are always present during silage fermenta¬ 
tion and the process is due to the activities of both in the absence of air. 
literature cited 
(1) Babcock, S. M., and Russeee, H. L. 
1900. Causes operative in the production of silage. In Wis. Agr. Exp. Sta. 
17th Ann. Rpt. [i899]/i9oo, p. 123-141; 18th Ann. Rpt. [1900P01, p. 
177-184, 1 fig. 
(2) Bacon, R. F. 
1911. Detection and determination of small quantities of ethyl and methyl 
alcohol and of formic acid. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bur. Chem. Circ. 74, 8 p. 
(3) Burriix, T. J., and [Manns, A. G.] 
1889. Biology of ensilage. In Ill. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 7, p. 177-194. 
(4) Dorof^jew, N. 
1902. Beitrag zur Kenntniss der Athmung verletzter Blatter. In Ber. Deut. 
Bot. Gesell., Bd. 20, Heft 7, p. 396-402. 
(5) Dox, A. W., and Lamb, A. R. 
1916. An accurate aeration method for the determination of alcohol in fermen¬ 
tation mixtures. In Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., v. 38, no. n, p. 2561- 
2568. 
(6) Esten, W. M., and Mason, C. J. 
1912. Silage fermentation. In Conn. Storrs Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 70, 40 p. 
Bibliography, p. 37-40. 
