MAIZE ENSILAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 136, 10 June 1898, Page 3

MAIZE ENSILAGE.

The proper way to deal with green maize to be made into ensilage is to care it in a silo, such as we illustrated in the 'Farmer' a short time back. The best results are obtainable from maize ensilage when the crop is chaffed, in which case, of course, a silo is absolutely necessary. If the crop is not chaffed care should be taken to lay the stalks straight, so that they will pack closely and thus prevent waste. The chief point to be observed in. making ensilage is to exclude the air, and any method which brings about this result will prove satisfactory in the conversion of green into preserved fodder. Moderate weighting has hitherto suggested itself as the readiest, simplest, cheapest anil surest way of attainingthat object. Many experimenters have produced good ensilage without any weighting, but there is a good deal of risk in following that course, and we do not recommend that, it should be imitated. The extra outlay required to weight moderately is too trifling to warrant taking the chance of" failure by neglecting1 this part of the process. In fining- the silo or making the stack the work need not be done too quickly. It is just as well to let the quantity carted in during one day settle down before another lot is added, and in this connection, where a large quantity of maize has to be dealt with it is advisable that two silos or stacks should be operated upon on alternate days. The break in the work allows the temperature to rise, and causes the fodder to be cooked to the extent of making it more palatable for stock, as well as easier digested. If the crop has been cut -with the reaper and binder the sheaves may be carted direct to the silo and packed in the pit without being opened, care being taken to place the bundles lengthwise on the outside of the pile, and not with their ends to the outside, as in ordinary stack building. By this plan the air is better excluded, and if the pit be covered with dry earth to a depth of about two feet the fodder will be perfectly preserved—no rooffing being required—and fit for feeding to cattle ■without further preparation. The above remarks also apply to sorghum.