ENSILAGE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 452, 30 March 1912, Page 6

ENSILAGE.

EASIER TO MAKE THAN HAY. Mr Alf. Silcock, of Thorpe, is an ardent believer in ensilage, and has some considerable experience in making it in a practical if not very scientific way. Mr Silcock sends us a few notes on the methods adopted by him which should convince a good many who fear to face the problem, that the question of ensilage is nut so formidable alter all. Mr Siicock writes: _ I see in your paper some one asking for a cheap method of making ensilage. lam surprised there are not more people making it. It is twentyfour 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 you are making it with quite green, and with plenty of sap in it. If you are maknig it out of cow grass, cut it when the first flowers are out, don't let it go into burr. If it is oats, cut them when the head is just out of the ear, don't let them get dry at all. To start the stack lay some green rushes or straw on the ground, four or five inches 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 the ground so that the air cannot get in. Then put on your green stuff, cart it in as you r.ut it. and do not leave it out in the paddcok a day or two, If it is a misty or wet day all the better, and if it is a hot dry windy day you can put four or five buckets of water on the stack for every two loads, or as much water as you like, but if your stuff is qirite green 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 want to go on again as 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 two or three inches 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 and the soild put a pole or any old rails along the centre. Then put wires across to hold the logs on the eaves, then put about eight to twelve inches 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 three or four inches, but if you r\o not cut the sides off as I have stated it will rot in Sor 20 inches. Remember it is no use making the stack too high, and see that it is built where itis 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 what ever in making an ensilage stack so long as your stuff is green. Farmers' Advocate.