402 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XIV, No. 10 
samples. Considerable more acidity was developed in this com silage 
made in Idaho than in that studied previously at the Iowa Station. 
But this is partially accounted for by the fact that com does not usually 
reach as high a state of maturity in this section. These results cor¬ 
roborate previous statements by certain investigators that immature 
com will produce a silage higher in acidity than mature com. 
Oat and pea silage. —Oat and peas made first-class silage. It had 
a good color and odor and showed an acid fermentation similar to com 
silage. 
Wheat and pea silage. —Wheat and peas made very good silage 
showing all the characteristics of a normal silage. The kinds and quan¬ 
tity of acids developed were similar to those found in com silage. 
EXAMINATION OF SILAGE FROM SMALL SILOS 
In 1916 additional work was done with crop mixtures other than com 
siloed in small wooden stave silos of approximately 1,500 pounds’ capac¬ 
ity. In these silos peas and oats were siloed alone and in definite 
proportions, based on the dry weight of each, as were also clover and 
alfalfa, and definite mixtures of each, with wheat straw. Oats and peas 
were chosen because they were likely to be more commonly used than 
any other crops or crop mixture as com substitutes. Clover and alfalfa 
were chosen because there are some sections where the first cuttings are 
cured with difficulty for hay because of rainy weather, and there has 
been some inquiry as to the possibility of converting them alone and 
in mixtures into silage. It seemed worth while to ascertain whether 
the same type of fermentation could be depended upon from mixtures 
of these legumes with crop residues that are all too frequently allowed to 
go completely to waste. The small silo series was filled with crops and 
mixtures as indicated below: 
Peas 100 per cent. 
Oats 100 per cent. 
Clover 100 per cent. 
Alfalfa 100 per cent. 
Peas 87^ and oats 12 % per cent. 
Peas 75 and oats 25 per cent. 
These minature silos were made of 2-inch fir staves. They were 3 
feet in diameter and 6 feet in height. The staves were drawn closely 
together by means of lugs attached to iron bands. To make them per¬ 
fectly air- and water-tight, the joints were coated on the inside with hot 
paraffin. 
Before filling the silos, moisture determinations were made on the 
green materials in order to weigh out the proper amount. The cut 
materials were mixed uniformly on the floor and then packed in small 
Peas 50 and oats 50 per cent. 
Clover 75 and wheat straw 25 per cent. 
Clover 50 and wheat straw 50 per cent. 
Alfalfa 75 and wheat straw 25 per cent. 
Alfalfa 50 and wheat straw 50 per cent. 
