Silage. 
Silos. 
14 
only placed upon it, after it 
is partially dried. The prin- 
ciple underlying all these 
air drying apparatuses is this, 
that an interval must occur 
between the fodder and the 
ground to allow free access 
of air beneath. Two or three — 
days are required for drying, 
but on pyramids, longer time 
(6 —10 days, according to the weather) is necessary, 
Ensilage. In moist climates and seasons the process 
of ensilage is now coming into use for preserving cut grass. 
In this process, the grass is placed either immediately 
after cutting, or after a few hours exposure to the air, 
in a silo and closely covered so as to prevent access of 
air, and, to a certain extent, decomposition. 
In wet climates where grass is very difficult to con- 
vert into hay, ensilage may with advantage supplant hay- 
making as a means of obtaining winter forage. In drier 
climates having occasional wet or late seasons, or in those 
yielding a second crop too late for hay-making, il could 
also be used. Even in good seasons and climates, where 
hay-making can be relied upon, ensilage will be of great 
benefit, because rough, coarse and unpalatable grasses are 
thereby rendered more succulent and palatable. The chief 
benefits of ensilage are: — 
Fig. 11. Clover carrier. 
Fig. 12. Pyramid. 
1. In wet seasons, it prevents waste of grass. 
2. It converts coarse, woody grasses, otherwise of little value, into succulent and palatable food. 
3. When given to dairy cows in winter, it increases the quantity of milk. Butter, from cows fed 
on good silage, has the quality, colour, and flavour, that pertain to it in summer, 
4%, It saves the short grasses which are lost in hay-making. 
5. In the case of clover and »clover grass«, the leaflets which are the most valuable parts of the 
clover plant, are saved, whereas in ordinary hay-making they readily break off and are to a large extent lost. 
The silo may consist of a pit dug in the earth; a pit with a part above ground; or a building 
wholly above ground. The whole should be arranged so as to exclude air. The roof is capable of being 
moved, to allow the application of pressure to the contents. If a pil is dug it should be well drained. 
both at the sides and bottom, but not so freely as to permit access of air. The presence of excessive 
moisture causes the development of moulds. The walls and floor may be made of concrete, stones or 
earth. If a building is used as a silo, the door, if present, should be as air-tight as possible, When 
the silo is filled all at once, the after-shrinkage is considerable; it is therefore advisable not to close it 
permanently until more grass etc. has been added to fill up this space. The roof may be of zinc, iron 
or Willesden paper. Pressure may be applied by lever, screw, barrels filled with stones or water, or 
a water tank may be used. The number*) of silos in Great Britain, in 1884, was 610, having an ayer- 
age capacily of 3,052 cubic ft.; while in 1885 the number was 1,183 having an average capacity of 
*) Replies to questions relating to Silos and Ensilage, 1885. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode. 
