Ensilage in the Making

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 April 1910, Page 4

Ensilage in the Making

An interesting experiment—so far as this district is concerned—is being carried out at Mr W. W. Livesey's farm, Nor-thwood" (says the "fAlotueka Star"). It is the making of ensilage from maize for winter fodder. The stack, an imposing one, measures 22ft by 30ft a,t the base, and stands about lift high. It contains about one hundred and sixty tons of maize—the product of seven acres of ground. When viewed by our representative this morning, the maize was in process of fermentation and a cob taken at random from the stack by Mr Livesay was found to be well-cooked. This is not to be wondered at considering the temperature is kept at from 150 to 160 degrees, Fahrenheit. As giving some idea of the immense weight in the stack it may bo mentioned that a pipe (for taking the temperature), running into the centre of the stack, was placed in the maize, between five and six feet from the ground during 'building operations, but now the work is completed is only about six inches from the soil. Mr Livesay has proved the value of green maize as a food for stock. He states that in March last year his cows were 'fed on grass and the yield of milk was twelve gallons a day. Last month, with the same number of cows, hu,t fed on green maize, he .received thirty gallons a day. It is hoped tlwit Mr Livesay will be equally successful with the ensilage.