ENSILAGE EASIER TO MAKE THAN HAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 16

ENSILAGE EASIER TO MAKE THAN HAY.

Mr \lf Silcock. of Thorpe, is an ardent bolievor in ensilage, and has some considerable experience in making it in a. practical, if not very scientific, way. Mr Silcock 'ends the Fanners' Union Advocate a few notes on tho methods adopted by nun, which should convince a good many who fear to face the problem, that the question of ensilage is not so formidable after all. Mr Silcock writes:— . "I see in your paper someone asking tor a rhearj method of making ensilage. I am surprised there are not more people making ii [| j s 24 years since I made the first stack, and it is a great deal easier to make than a stack of hay. and there is not so much risk of spoiling. The main thing in making ensilage is to have the stuff yon are making it with quite green, and with plenty of sap in it. If you are making it out of cowgrass, cut it when tho first flowers arc out; don't let it go into burr. H it is oats, cut, them when tho head is just out of the oar; don't let them get dry at all. "To .start, the stack lay some green rushes or straw on the ground, 4in or sin will do. If it is dry straw, put some water on it. and stamp it well down. Do not, put any timber under it, as it requires to be solid on ground, so that the air cannot get it. Then put on your green stuff, cart it in ns you cut it, and do not leave it out in the paddock a day or two. If it is a misty or wet day ell the better, and if it is a hot, dry, -windy dav you can put four or five buckets of water on the stack for every two loads, or as much water a» you like; but if your

stuff is quite grcea it will do without the water. If Your stack is getting too high, let it stand for a day or two till it settles down, and then you ear. go on again ; there is no gain by trying to make one too high. When you have got the material all in, take a hay knife and cut the stack all round into ' the solid, and throw the cuttings on the top. Do not put much roof on it. Give it about one in six, then put 2in or 3in of green rushes, or anything to keep the dirt out of the stack, then put a small log or anything on the eaves well in on the solid, put a pole or any old rails along the centre, then put the wires across to hold the log on the eaves. Put about from Sin to 12in of earth on top, and you will find there is not a bit of waste in the top layer. Do not put any stones or logs on top of it, and you need not cover it any more. The more rain on top of it the better. The stack may rot on the side about 3in or 4in, but if you do not cut the sides offi as I have stated it will rot in 13in or 20in: Remember, it is no use making the stack too high, and see that it is built where it is good sinking, as one man can then throw the soil into a dray and another man in the dray can throw it on the stack. There is no risk whatever in making an ensilage stack, so long as your stuff is green."