.■!^ ',4'-d i&:^M \-^Si^rMim&..^. -idte^^.^. UJ ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY New York State Colleges OF Agriculture and Home Economics Cornell University DATE DUE GAYLORD PRINTED IN U.5 A. Cornell University Library SB 195.B33 1886 Ensilage expe^men!^,BrislJjU885ft;«« Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003383647 3rd Udition (Revised) " ^\^ c THE BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND " AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. ENSILAGE EXPERIMENTS BRISTOL, 1885, 1886. Rep6bt of the Bristol LopAL Ensilage CoMMiTTEEy ' including Practical Details of the manner in which the Six Varieties of Ensilage were Prepared^ also copies of Analyses, Tables of Temperatures, Weights, etc, ', BRISTOL : JOHN HAYWARD, BOOKSELLER & STATIOljrBR, 1, CORN STREET. ,| 1886. i. ■ ,■ PRICE SIXPENCE. ^rd jEdition fiS,evised) THE BATH AND WEST OP ENGLAND AGRICULTUKAL SOCIETY. ENSILAGE EXPERIMENTS BRISTOL, 1885, 1886. Bepoet of the Bristol Local Ensilage Committee, including Praciical Details of the manner in which the Six Varieties of Ensilage were Prepared, also copies of Analyses, Tables of Temperatures, Weights, etc. BRISTOL : J OHN HAYWAKD, BOOKSELLER & STATIONER, 1, COBN STREET. 1886. PRICE SIXPENCE. ENSILAGE EXPERIMENTS At bower ASHTON, neae BRISTOL. Carried out for The Bath & West of England Ageicultueal Society ly the Bristol local Unsilage Committee, 1885-1886. Report op thj, Sub-Committee on Ensilage, appointed April 1885 hy the Executive Committee, to conduct certain experiments with a view to ascertain comparative results, as shewn hy chemical analysis, from grass made into (1) hay, (2) sour Misilage, (3) sweet JEksilage. Tour Sub-Committee have to report that after consultation with Sir John B. Lawes, Bart., Dr. J. H. Gilbert, Mr. H. M. Jenkins, of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and Mr. George Fry, of Chobham, Surrey, it was decided that about 5 tons of hay, and about 7-^ tons of sour ensilage, and about 7^ tons of sweet ensilage should be made. The sour and sweet ensilage to be made in lots of about 24 tons each, and each lot in a separate Silo. Sufficient old pasture land was rented from Mr. Stephen Harding, at Bower Ashton, near Bristol, together with the use of a barn in which the 6 Silos could be housed until after the close of the Show of the Bath and West of England Society on Clifton Down, in June, 1886. It was an instruction to the Sub-Committee that the grasses and herbage growing on this pasture land should be examined and classified, and further, that the proportion of each of the various plants found thereon should be carefully estimated and recorded. When mowing commenced, samples of the grass were to be taken from each load as carried to the barn, and sent to the Chemist of the Society, Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker, for analysis. The area of pasture to be mown was to be so sub-divided that the hay and the contents Of each Silo should fairly represent the herbage growing over the entire area of pasture mown. The hay was to be made in the usual manner ; and samples of the fresh mown grass sent for analysis to Dr. Voelcker. Six substantial water-tight wooden Silos were constructed, each having a capacity of 250 cubic feet, and it was ordered that they should be filled in the manner following, viz. — 4 hristol inaitage Msperimehis ,' No. 1. — SoTiE Ensilage, rammed and compressed as rapidly as possible. The temperature to be kept down to 50° F., or as near thereto as possible. The Silo to be filled and covered in one day. It is anticipated that the only acid present in this Ensilage will be lactic, and perhaps a little butyric. No. 2. — SouB Ensilage, temperature to be kept below 120° F. This to be trodden and compressed as much as would be practicable in a general way. The filling of this Silo may extend over a week. . The acid in this Ensilage it is expected will be both lactic and acetic. No. 3. — Sweet Ensilage, made by carting the grass as cut direct to the Silo, treading it well in at the sides but not in the centre. Tempetature regulated from 140° to 150° F. This phould produce a fruity type of sweet Ensilage. No. 4. — Sweet Ensilage, grass allowed to lie after cutting one day in the field, and then made in the same way as No. 3. Intended to produce an aromatic type of sweet Ensilage. No. 5. — Souk Ensilage, the grass to be chaffed and the Silo filled at once and covered in as in No. 1. No. 6. — Sweet Ensilage, the same as No. 3 Silo, with the exception that the grass is to be chaffed. In order to guard against error or mismanagement it was considered desirable to secure the services of Mr. W. J. Maiden, who for some years past has been employed by the Royal Agricultural Society as Manager at their Experimental Fann at Woburn, and who was trained in experimental work by the late Dr. Augustus Voelcker. The kind offer of Mr. George Fry to send his bailiff (Mr. G. Osborne) to assist during the filling of the Silos was thankfully accepted by the Sub-Committee, as he has had practical experience in ensiling at Chobham. Mr. Maiden was requested to keep a Journal, which should record fully all operations, weights, temperatures, &c. The Journal is appended to this Report, and will no doubt be found useful by those who wish to make practical essays in ensiling. The Sub-Committee have much pleasure in stating that Mr. Maiden performed his duties to their entire satisfaction, with skill, method, and accuracy. The Analyses have been made by Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker, but the time is insufficient to permit him to make a full and critical report on the results of the several experiments. The Sub-Committee do not, meanwhile, offer any opinion upon the analyses, or as to what place the process of ensiling will ultimately take in our agricultural economy ; the subject will be comprehensively studied by authorities in agricultural chemistry, and form the basis of a special article in the ensuing number of the Society's Journal. The Sub-Committee, however, are greatly indebted to their eollcague, Professor Ramsay, Principal of University College, Report of Sub-Committee. Bristol, for some interesting observations and calculations based on the several analyses of Ensilage and Hay, and which they are enabled to embody in the present Report : " These tables show the value of the original grass, as well as that of the samples of Ensilage for feeding purposes. But to convey the information contained in them in a more easily understood form some explanation appears to be desired. The various constituents which appear in the analyses shall be con- sidered one by one, and their function explained. 1. — Moisture. — Under this heading, besides water, is in- cluded certain volatile oils, which give flavour to the fodder, but the acetic acid, which is volatile, is not included under this heading. While the water is of no value as a food, yet it may render the true food more easily assimilated, and may thus play a part which, however, need riot be further noticed. A small portion only of the volatile and fragrant oils will be lost by drying. During fermentation loss of carbon, in the form of carbonic acid, occurs, and this is also reckoned as loss in stating the proportion of Ensilage obtained from grass. 2. — Soluble Albumenoids. — These constitute a very valu- able portion of the food, supplying nitrogen in the most assimilable form. It has been proved that nitrogen in such a state of combination is necessary to animal life, and the value of the albumenoids, as a food depends, indeed, mainly on the propor- tion of nitrogen they contain. In a general way they may be considered as flesh-forming, as opposed to the fat-forming, and heat-giving constituents, such as carbohydrates and digestible fibre. 3. — Insoluble Albumenoids. — These resemble the former, except for the fact that they do not dissolve in water. They are, however, attacked by the constituents of the gastric juice during digestion, and are largely, if not wholly, assimilated by the animal system. The " albumenoid " nitrogen they contain is again to a great extent a measure of their value. 4. — Digestible Fibee. — This fibre is of the nature of starch, and is convertible into soluble substances by the constitu- ents of the saliva and gastric juice. It may be regarded as one of the bodies by the assimilation and oxidation of which the warmth of the body is preserved ; beside this, it contributes towards the formation of fat. 5. — WooDT Fibre. — This may be regarded as for the most part indigestible, although recent experiments have shown that ruminant animals — oxen and sheep — do digest a considerable amount of it. 6. — Soluble Mineral .Matter. — From this the supply of phosphate of lime for bones, and of common salt, and similar compounds, which form regular constituents of the flesh juice, ^nd which aid in digestion, ig obtaiaed, Bristol Misilae/e Experiments; 7. — Insoluble Mineral Mattee. — This passes tlirougli undigested for the most part, though some of it may yield to the action of the acids, lactic and hydrochloric (?) in the stomach, and he thereby rendered assimilable. The silica contained in both (6) and (7) has little useful purpose, so far as is known. 8. — Soluble Caebohydeates, Chloeophyll, &c. — The carbohydrates are of the nature of sugar and gums. They perform a function similar to that of the digestible fibre, but being soluble, are more easily assimilated. I am unable to state whether chloro- phyll, the green colouring matter of plants, is or is not of use as a food. 9. — Lactic* and Acetic Acids. — Lactic acid is the acid of sour-milk. It is normally present during digestion, and acts as a solvent on certain kinds of food. It is supposed that by its action on salt, in the stoipach, it sets free hydrochloric acid, which has greater power of dissolving. Acetic acid is the acid of vinegar, and no doubt also aids digestion in somewhat the same manner as lactic acid. These acids are not normally present in fresh fodder, but are produced during fermentation in the Silo. It will be noticed that they are present in but small amount in " sweet Ensilage," but cause the acidity of " sour Ensilage." Instead of expressing the results of analysis in parts per 100, it may render them more easily grasped if the constituents are calculated in absolute weights, and to facilitate matters, it shall be assumed that each Silo contained 50 cwt. when freshly loaded. The amount of hay shall also be considered as 30 cwt., for the sake of comparison. It will be noticed that this is not far from the real weight in all cases except that of the hay. Table allowing loss of Weight of 50 ewt. of grass when made into Ensilage ■ also percentage loss, Cwt. • qrs. lbs. 1.— Sour Ensilage (long) ... 4 2 5* = Percent. 9'10. 2.— Sour Ensilage (long) ... 4 2 ISJ „ 9-28. 3.— Sweet Ensilage (long' ... 9 22 „ 18 '40. 4.— Sweet Ensilage ... 30 1 6 „ 60'61. 5.— Sour Ensilage (chaffed)- ... 2 1 „ 9-89. 6.— Sweet Ensilage (chaffed)... 4 3 22 „ 4-50. 7.— Hay ... ... 36 3 26 „ 73-97. It is of direct interest to the cattle-feeder to be able to compare readily the nutritive properties of these various kinds of fodder. In the following tables of comparison 100 parts of the fresh grass, analysed by Dr. Voelcker, has been taken as the standard : — Grass. Hay. No.l. No. 2. No. 3. No. 4. No. 5. No. 6. Sour. Sour. Sweet. Sweet. Sour. Sweet. Soluble Albumenoids 0-36 . . 0-11 . ,. 0-34 . ,. 0-49 . ,. 0-46 . . 0-29 . . 0-34 _ 0-18 Insoluble Albumenoids . . 1-21 . . 1-42 , .. 0-79 , .. 0-73 . .. 0-91 . . 1-28 . . 0-83 .. 1-14 Digestible Fibre 4-86 . . 4-48 . .. 4-37 , _ 6-16 . .. 6-17 . . 6'29 5-18 6-05 Woody Fibre 7-65 . ,. 7-87 . .. 6-91 , .. 7-68 , .. 7-22 . . 6-93 . . 7-22 _ 8-61 Lactic Acid _ „ ^-^ . ,. 0-24 . . 017 . ,. 0-13 . „ 006 . . 0-41 , .. 025 Acetic Acid . 0-29 . .. 0-13 . . 0-06 . . o-oi . . 0-28 .. 0-10 Soluble Mineral Matter . . 119 . . 1-16 . . 1-46 . ,. 1-76 . . 1-18 . . 1-u . . 1-36 .. 1-32 Insoluble Mineral Matter. . 0-75 . . 0-86 . . 0-75 , ,. 0-63 . . 0-75 . . 0'82 . . 0-84 .. 98 Sojuble Carbohydi'ivtes 6 '86 . . 6-83 , , 3-67 . . 3-62 . . 2-81 . , 3'18 , . 3-45 , .. 3.34 Report of Sub-Committee. To render this table more intelligible, the soluble and in- soluble albumenoids have been classified together as flesh forming, and the digestible fibre and soluble carbohydrates as fat-forming and heat-giving. Table of comparison of various Fodders, 10,000 lbs. of Grass contain — Flesh-forming. Fat-forming . Salts. Acida. Total. 157 . . 1072 .. 194 — .. 1*23 And yield— Hay 153 . . 1031 .. 201 — .. 1385 „ EnsUageNo. l.Sour. 113 . 79* .. 221 53 .. 1181 f> 3f „ 2, Sour. 122 . 878 .. 238 30 .. 1268 >> If „ 3, Sweet 137 . 798 .. 193 19 .. 11*7 >i 9i „ 4, Sweet 157 . 8« .. 193 6 .. 1203 9 „ 5, Sour, chaffed 117 .. 863 . .. 219 69 .. 1268 11 „ 6, Sweet, chaffed 132 .. 939 . .. 230 35 .. 1336 The general result of these experiments appears to be that there is a considerable loss of nutritive material, espe- cially of the non-nitrogenous, or as named above, fat-forming constituents, in converting grass into ensilage ; and that the albumenoid, or flesh-forming constituents, are more reduced by the conversion into Sour than into Sweet Ensilage. This loss is not compensated by the acids produced by the fermen- tation, nor have they any claim to be regarded as foods ; how- ever, they may act as stimulants to digestion in causing woody- fibre to be more readily assimilated by the animal organism. On the other hand, the conversion of grass into hay is accompanied by little loss of nutritive material, although the loss of water may tend to render the food less easily digested." The practical points for the farmer to consider are, what is the value of the respiratory and fat forming matter and albume- noids lost during the process of ensilage, and what is the extra cost of dealing with so much weight of water ; as against the advantage of having succulent food throughout the winter and early spring, and of being able to secure crops which in so capricious a cliitaate as ours would otherwise be frequently spoiled. The Sab -Committee, in conclusion, desire to express their cordial thanks to Sir John B. Lawes, Dr. J. H. Gilbert, Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker, Mr. H. M. Jenkins, and Mr. George Fry, for their counsel and assistance afforded at all times during the course of the experiments ; and also to Messrs. Nichols and Alder, the Honorary Secretaries to the Executive Committee. THOMAS DYKE, Chairman. Bristol Ensilage Experiments; The Sub-Committee consisted of the following gentlemen : — Mr. Thomas Dyke, Ashton Lodge, Long Ashton, Chairman ; Mr. Stephen Harding, Bower Ashton ; Mr. Captain Liddon, Iron Acton ; Mr. H. R. Miles, the Grove, Ham Green, Pill ; Mr. \V. H. Miles, Ham Green, Pill ; Mr.W. C. Cope-Proctor, Heathercliflf, Clifton Down ; Professor W. Kamsay, Principal University College, Bristol ; Mr. William Smith, Snndon House, Clifton Down ; T\Ir. Frank N. Wills, 35, Berkeley Square, Clifton ; Mr. John Yalland, Fishponds. Journal of Mr. W. J. MALDEN. In submitting my report on the Ensilage experiments at Bower Ashton, I have the honour to inform the Committee that, at their desire, I first visited Sir J. B. Lawes' experimental farm at Bothamsted, to gain any information obtainable as to the man- ner in which their recent Ensilage experiments had been carried out. Dr. Gilbert and Mr. Willis kindly described the means they had used in taking and weighing the samples, and the best precautions against errors in ascertaining the weights of the separate lots for each Silo ; and also indicated how a practical description of the grass to be ensiled should be given. My visit to Eothamsted was on the 15th of June, and the following day I proceeded to Bower Ashton. An inspection of the grass to be treated and the arrangements for carrying out the work showed that a more favourable situation could not be found. An agreement had been made by the Committee with Mr. Stephen Harding, who had placed a field of useful old pasture of 16 acres at their disposal, from which any quantity or portion required could be taken. This fleJ4- was within 200 yards of the barn in which the Silos were placed, and on the way was a large weigh- bridge, which Mr. Thomas Dyke, the representative of Sir Greville Smyth, had kindly granted the use of, so long as it might be required. Mr. Dyke had also given instructions that anything about the estate that might be of service should be at the command of the Committee, and this, with the hearty good-will of all concerned, proved of great assistance throughout. The Committee had arranged that 4 Silos should be filled, and after consultation with Sir J. Lawes and Mr. George Fry, of Chobham, it was determined that the following types of ensilage should be made : — Ii^ Sir.o 1. SouE Ensilage rammed and compressed as rapidly as possiblo and kept down as near to 50° F. as possible. To be filled and covered in one day. It is anticipated that the only acid present in this Ensilage will be lactic and perhaps a little butyric. Report of Sub- Committee. In Silo 2. Sour Ensilage to be kept below 120°F. This to be trodden and compressed as much as would be practicable in a general way. The filling might extend over a week. The acid in this Ensilage, it is expected, will be both lactic and acetic. In Silo 3. Sweet Ensilage made by carting the grass direct to the Silo, treading well in at the sides, but not in the centre. Tem- perature 140° to 150° F. This should produce a fruity type of sweet Ensilage. In Silo 4. Sweet Ensilage. Grass allowed to lie one day in the field, and then made in the same way as No. 3. Intended to produce an Aromatic type of sweet Ensilage. The grass was then (June 16th) in good condition for making into hay, jaut as there was a large amount of herbage at the bottom it was necessary that it should be free from outside moisture, or there would be a risk of its being so heavy that in making sweet Ensilage the bottom of each layer would be too compressed by the weight of that above to ferment sufficiently to reach 140*. And as in making exact experiments it is necessary to start with everything in the same condition, while the grass was wet it would be unfit for experimental purposes. The outside moisture would materially affect the weight, so that grass put into a Silo in a wet state would not fairly represent grass as generally used, and the weight of Ensilage made from it could not be taken as a basis for practical purposes, and would be confusing if compared with other experiments made under more favourable circumstances. It is necessary to bear this in mind, as at present the system is only looked upon by some as a means of saving a hay crop in unsettled weather, and not as a means of procuring a supply of bulky, succulent food for winter use. It was therefore necessary that the experiments should be commenced in fine weather. The weather set in showery and continued so until June 26th, and though no great quantity of rain fell, yet there was sufficient to keep the grass dripping with wet the whole time, in fact it was much wetter than it would have been had there been heavy rains, as it fell lightly and did not shake off. It was decidedly not hay- making weather, and had the grass which was intended for hay befen cut, it would have been to some extent spoiled, so that its comparative value with Ensilage could not have been arrived at or determined. There were a few arrangements which required completing, and ample time was thus given to effect them. The Committee had arranged that the experiments should be carried out in wooden Silos, which were ready on the 17th of June, and no expense was spared to make them thoroughly efficient. They were made of three-inch deals, iiripl7 braced with iron rods, the 10 Bristol Ensilage Ecspervmenis , joints were tongued and treated with a solution by which they were made perfectly water-tight ; so effectively was this done, that not the slightest leakage took place even when the grass was subjected to a pressure of 2 cwt. per square foot. As there was a general expression of regret at the Committee Meeting that chaffed Ensilage was not to be repi'esented, and as the weather continued so bad that there seemed no prospect of commencing for some days, the opportunity was availed of and two more Silos were ordered of the same dimensions — 6ft. by 6ft., and 7ft. deep, inside measure- ment — to be filled with grass previously chaffed, and at the next Committee Meeting it was determined to use one, No. 5, for making sour Ensilage. The Silo to be filled and at once weighted with 1 cwt. per square foot. The grass to be chaffed ; to represent the ordinary practice of Ensiling ; and the other, No. 6, for sweet Ensilage in the same way as in No. 3, only the grass to be chaffed. These 6 Silos were placed in a cool barn, in which the temperature varied very little, as will be seen on reference to the Table of Temperatures, and the Silos were weighed to establish tare. Iron tubes were procured from Mr. Harris, of Marsh Street, Bristol, to be driven into the Silos at different depths for taking temperatures, and Dr. Ramsey arranged with Mr. Getti, in London, for some delicate, self- registering thermometers to be made, whilst Dr. Voelcker was kind enough to send down some others. Maximum and mini- mum thermometers were also supplied by Mr. Dunscombe, of Bristol, for ta,king outside temperatures. Messrs. J. Bartlett & Son, of Bristol, kindly lent a pair of balances adapted so as to be perfectly suitable for the work, and which, by their extreme accuracy, proved of the greatest service in weighing the samples. Boxes, bottles, cloths, carbolic acid, and other things required for sampling were obtained in Bristol. Everything had been pre- pared and was in readiness, but in consequence of the state of the weather, a start could not be made until June 26th. Mr. W. Osborne, Bailiff to Mr. George Fry, of Chobham, Surrey, came down on Tuesday evening, June 16th, and stayed until Saturday with the view of assisting in making the sweet Ensilage, but though he was unable to see the work done, he rendered good service by explaining all details connected with their practice at Chobham ; and his information and experience proved very useful when we actually began work. An inspection of the field showed that the crop was well suited for experimental purposes, for though the land was undulating, the average growth and quality of the grass was fairly even, and the same varieties were found throughout. By the time the experiments were commenced the grasses were, well in bloom, and the clovers and general herbage were also in good condition, the white clover being the only variety not fully out. On examination the varieties of grass, herbage, and vy^eeds found were as follows ;— Report of Sul-Commtttee. 11 Geasses. No. BotaDical Name. English Name. Quantity. 1 Alopecurus pratense Toxtail Bather rare 2 Festuoa pratensis Meadow Pesoue Very rare 3 Daotylis glomerata Coclcsfoot Common 4 LoUum perenne Perennial ryegrass Common 5 Cynosurus Uristatus Crested dogstail Very common 6 Aithoxauthum Odoratum Sweet-scented vernal Bather rare 7 Testuoa avena Sheep's fescue Very rare 8 Lolium Italioum Italian ryegrass Very rare 9 Avena flavesoens Golden oat grass Very common 10 Avena pubesoens Holous lanatus Hairy oat gras.? Very common 11 Yorkshire-fog Very common la Holous avenaceus 'J'all oat-like grass Bather common 13 Holcus mollis Creeping rooted soft- grass Bather common 14 BromuB giganteus Brome grass Common 15 Tritloum repens Twitch Common 16 Briza Media Quaking grass Very rare Leguminous Plants. No. Botanical Name. English Name. Quantity. 17 Trifolium pereune Broad red clover "S Very common and general 18 Trif olium repens White clover r throughout the field. 19 Lathyrus pratensis Meadow vetchling Bather common 20 Vicia Sepimn Bush vetch Bare 21 Medicago lupulina Nonsuch Bare 22 Lotus comioulatus Common birdsfoot clover Bather common Miscellaneous Herbage and WeI;ds. No. Botanical Name. English Name. Quantity. ?,3 Achillea Millefolium Yarrow Bather rare •24 Plantago lanceolata Bibwort plantain Common 25 Plamtago major Greater plantain Bather common 26 LaDsana communis Common nipplewort Common 27 Leontodon taraxacum Common dandelion Bather rare 28 Tragopogon pratensis YeUow goats beard Bare 29 Cnicus arvensis Creeping plume tliistle Bather rare 30 Gymnadinia conopsea Sweet scented orchis Bare 31 Bellis perennis Daisy Common 32 Crysanthemum leucan- themum White oxeye Common 3.^ Humex obtusifolicua Broad leaved dock Very rare 34 Rumex aoetosella Sheep's sorrel Common 3.5 Conium maoulatum Hemlock Very common 36 Banunculus bulbosus Bulbous buttercup Very common 37 Banunculus acris Meadow crowfoot Very common 38 Ehianthus crista-galli Battle weed Common 39 Cerastium viscosum Mouse-eared chick weed Common 40 Urtica divica Great nettle Very rare 12 Bristol Ensilage Eayperiments ; It will be seen from the above that the better varieties of grass were not well represented, there being scarcely any fescues, no catstail, and but little foxtail. Of cocksfoot there was rather above the average amount. The medium quality grasses were well represented, and the inferior grasses were rather abundant. As they wereall well grown they may be considered a useful lot on the whole. The broad and Dutch clovers were very full and in fact covered the whole of the field ; they and the other leguminous plants made a very valuable pasture, decidedly better than the average of the immediate neighbourhood. Many varieties of weeds were present, but with the exception of hemlock, not in any serious quantity. A good mixed pasture like this is what is required for experiments of this kind, as it is more representative of the pastures throughout the country than one where but few varieties are found. Eight acres were at first marked out, a portion being taken where the pasture was of the most even description, free from outsides and trees, so that there should be nothing to upset the uniformity of the experiments. As it was determined afterwards to have two Silos (No.'s 5 and 6) filled with chaffed material, two more plots were added, these ran along the bottom of the others. The following rough sketch will show the way in which the field was divided. Iron fence, end of field furthest from Mr. Harding's. — k ■ Headland, partly shaded by trees. 2 A. 4 A. 6 A. 8 A. 1 Sour Ensilage. Sweet Ensilage. Sour Ensilage. Sweet Ensilage. § 1. 3. 5. 7. 2B. 4B. 6B. 8B. s r Hay. Sweet Ensilage. Hay. Sour Ensilage. Hay. Sweet Ensilage, Hay. Sour Ensilage. s 4 9. Sour Ensilage, ohafifed. 1 10. Sweet Ensilage, chaffed. Explanation showing which plots were put into each Silo. 1 2 6 3 5, I Aa Aa B [ay. nd4] ndSl [ay. [ay. 3 put into i put into SUol Silo 5 1 4 A and S 6 B and S 7. Hay. 9 !Bpu A pu . pu . pu t into Sil< t into Sil( t into Silc tinto Sil( )3. )4. )5. ,6, Jieport of Sui-CommiiieS. 1^ It will be seen that by thus dividing the land all inequalities that might have existed in the quality of the grass were avoided as much as possible. June 26th. — Opened up dull, but the weather gradually im- proved, and at 12 o'clock the grass was in good condition for commencing operations. The Committee had engaged Mr Tyrrell, of Ashton, to find horses, carts, men, and any other requisites for the work, and they were in the field soon after twelve, when a start was made on plot 1, It had previously been arranged that the cutting should be dofie with the scythe, but some of the odd hands, who had been engaged to be in readiness during the wet weather, had undertaken work elsewhere and did not turn up. As it was necessary to make best use of the fine weather, Mr. Dyke kindly lent his mowing machine and two or three hands to assist. Plot 1 was cut, weighed, and taken back to the field to be made into hay. This extra carting was necessary, as unless its weight were taken when fresh, the relative weight of hay and Ensilage made from the grass under treatment could not be definitely ascertained. Part of Plot 2 was put into Silo, which was filled, compressed as much as possible during the operation, and then weighted with 2 cwt. of pig-iron (12 tons of which had been kindly lent by Mr. Joseph Tinn, of the Bedminster Iron Rolling Mills) to the square foot. Part of 2 B was also put into Silo 3, but this was only half filled, as the grass was succulent and heavy, and had more been put in an even temperature would not have been secured throughout, its own weight being sufficient to have turned it into sour instead of sweet Ensilage. Sir John Lawes, and Dr. Gilbert, of Eothamsted, had kindly promised to give all assistance they could -towards carry- ing out the experiments in the most satisfactory manner, and had also promised that some one who had witnessed the con- ditions under which their experiments at Rothamsted had been carried out should visit these experiments, when a start had been made ; so as soon as it was determined to commence they were advised of it. . The telegram reached Dr. Gilbert while he and Sir John were accompanying Dr. Voelcker — who has undertaken the whole of the analyses — round their experimental farm. They held a further consultation as to the best means of sampling, and Dr. Gilbert, F.R.S., Professor of Agriculture and Rural Economy to the Oxford University, &c., started at, once for Bristol,' arriving the same evening, and though he had many calls upon his time • he kindly stayed in the neighbourhood until Tuesday motning, devoting himself to the experiments the whole of the time, and giving us the benefit of his great experience. It may be interest- ing, perhaps, to give an explanation of the modes of sampling. As the pasture was composed of so many varieties of plants, it was necessary that as many samples should be taken as would give a fair average of the bulk. A sample of 50 oz. was therefore taken 14 Bristol &siiaffe Maperimenia ; from each load as it came to the weigh-bridge ; part of the load was turned back so as to avoid taking t6o much of that which might possibly have been slightly dried by the sun and wind in transit, and handfulls, representing the bulk as much as possible, were gathered from various parts. These were immediately weighed and placed on separate sheets in the sun to dry, and after drying they were chaffed and sent to Dr. Voelcker for analysis. Samples were also taken and at once sealed up in bottles to represent the grass in a green state, and sent for analysis. It was not considered necessary to takfi quite so many of these as of those to be dried, from which in all probability the greater part of the calculations would be made, but to use them as a means of corroboration in case any serious chemical change was brought about by the action of the sun while drying. These chaffed samples are particularly valuable, as it :s much more easy to get a fair sample of the bulk when in this condition than when the grass is long, and as there were 40 varieties of plants in the field, it will be seen that great care was required to get a representative one. As it was necessary that there should be some one to undertake the responsibility in the field, to see that the carts were properly labelled at the weighbridge, in the sampling; in the Silos, &c., Messrs. J. Tudor Cundall, Edward Surman Peck, and Arthur J. Heath, of the Bristol University College; kindly came down and gave their services during two or three of the most busy days, and Mr E. Moorsom, of the Ashton Court Estate Offices, also rendered much assistance both then and subsequently. Dr. G-ilbert came down on the morning of the 27th, and it was decided then to cut the grass on plots 3 and 5 which were to be made into hay. These were weighed and taken back into the field to dry. The sun was hot during the greater part of the day, but there was a cold wind,- and the ma:!^itiium tem- perature in the sun was 92°. Sunday, 28th. — Was very hot and drying, and out of the wind the sun temperature went up to 126°, the previous night was cold, and the lowest point reached was 47° Monday, 29th. — Broke brightly but soon clouded ; the clouds however, dispersed at about 9 o'clock. The wind was cold and the sun hot, maximum temperature 90°. Silo 1, which had been weighted with 2 cwt. per squaVe foot, had sunk 2 ft. 5 inches, so part of plot 4 B was used to fill it again. Part of plot 7 was cut and weighed, and a start was ma;de on plot 9, which was chaffed and put into Silo 5. For each cwt. of grass half an ounce was taken as a sample. Th6 grass which was intended for hay had " made " to a great extent by this time, and plot 1 was stacked. Dr. G-ilbert was present all day. Tuesday, 30th. — Weather fine, hot sun, cold wind, maximum in sun 90°. Plots 3 and 5 were stacked in fine condition. Silo 3 had gone up to 142', so another load was put in from 4 A. A Itepori of 6ui- Committee. 15 — — 2 load was cut and taken back into the field to dry in readiness for ensiling in Silo 4 on the following days. Silo No.6 was commenced. July 1st. — Another fine day, maximum temperature 94°. Finished cutting and weighing . plot 7. The .load cut on 30th Juno was put in Silo 4. No 2 Silo was filled from plot 6 A, which was weighted with 1 cwt. to the square foot. July 2nd. — As the Silos were not in a fit state to receive any more grass, nothing could be done except on plot 7, which was " made " and nearly fit for stacking. Sun temperature maximum 85°. July 3rd. — Splendid haymaking weather. Maximum tem- perature in sun 82°, Carted plot 7, thus having got all. the experimental hay in excellent condition. The grass was not too quickly dried under a fierce sun, but was both wind dried and sun dried ; that which was previously carted had warmed a little and reached 82° at the time of putting this on. It could not have been made under more favourable conditions,, and as the grass was in good order for cutting, and was an average representa- tive of pastures fairly treated, it was a safe and reliable lot for experimental purposes. A layer of straw was placed upon it and a few more tons of hay will be put on the top of that, so there will be no waste, as there might have been, had part of it been used for making up the roof, so that the whole will cut out solid and well pressed hay. A load from 6 B was cut in readiness for ensilage on the 4th. July 4th. — The load cut on the third from 6 B was put in Silo 4. A load from 8 B was put into Silo 2, which had sunk nearly two ft. A load was put into Silo No. 5 from plot 9, which sunk 1 ft. 9 in. A load from plot 4 A was put into Silo 3. And a load from plot 10 was put into Silo 6. In filling up the sweet Silos a temperature of between 140° and 150° was always obtained before a fresh start was made, as may be seen in the tables of temperatures. Maximum sun temperature 90°. July 5th.— Sunday, fine, drying day, 81° F. July 6th..^Fine da y again. Put a small load into Silo 6. Maximum 75°. July 7th. — Put a small load into Silo 3, and cut a load to lie a day and then be put into Silo 4 ; very little sun, strong wind. Maximum 75°. July 8th. — For the first and only time while the experiments Were being carried out we had a shower of rain. This fell during the night, and 0.11 in. was registered at the Ashton Court Estate Office. All signs of the rain had disappeared, so in the afternoon, the load cut on the 7th was put into Silo 4, while a load was put into Silo 3, and a load into Silo 6. Maximum 75°. July 9th. — A load was cut and weighed from plot 8 A, in readiness for being put into Silo 4 on the 10th. A load from 8 B was put into Silo 2, which had sunk about 17 inches. Weather fine. Maximum in sun 86*. 16 Bristol Iksiiage Experiments i July 10th. — The load cut on the 9th from 8 A, was ensiled in No. 4, and a fresh load was cut to be placed in the same Silo on the 11th, Weather fine. Maximum in sun 90°. July 11th. — Put load cut on 10th into Silo 4. A load from plot 10 into Silo 6, and a load from 4 A into Silo 3. July 12th — Sunday. July 13th — Put a load from plot 10 into Silo 6, and a load from 8 B into Silo 2. July 14th — ^Put a load into Silo 3 from plot 4 A. As Silo 4 was up to 144°, it was slightly weighted to get the temperature right to the top. As the minimum weight of grass ensiled has reached 2\ tons, no more will be put in either of them. They have all gone on well, and should turn out satisfactorily in an experimental point of view. The weights, account of sampling temperatures, &c., are tabulated separately, and explanatory notes are given with them. The following report of the weather was kindly supplied from the Ashton Court Estate Office, about half a mile distant : — Shade Termperatm es taken at 9 a.m. BainfaU. Date Max. Mim. Rain. F Remarks. to ^ or ten days previous ommenoing cutting the grass. June 26 62° 50° Overcast. J^ ne 17 0- 16 in. t) 27 63" 47 Half cloudy. , 18 •o„ ,, 28 66 46 Do. , 19 •05 „ »j 29 67 54 Do. , 20 •12 „ }» 30 70 55 Do. , 21 ■o„ July 1 66 50 Hazy. , 22 •06 „ »» 2 66 51 Do. , 23 •09 „ „ 3 68 55 Do. , 24- •29 „ J) 4 68 54 Do. , 25 ■09 „ JJ 5 6 73 70 55 54 Half cloudy. „ 26 •o„ »> Do. )> 7 66 55 Do. ,, 8 65 55 0.11 Showery. i )> 9 66 48 Half-cloudy. yi 10 66 49 Hazy. „ 11 68 53 Cloudy. ) 12 71 55 Fine. " 13 71 48 Half cloudy. Report of Sub- Committee. 17 Table of Samples. — Weights, &c., of Hat. Plot 1. — WeigU when cut. No. of Load. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Weight of Load. Sample to be Sundvied. Cwt. qrs. Ihs. 14 2 12 1 14 17 3 14 16 3 14 20 3 19 3 10 2 14 24 1 10 2 7 147 7 Samples 3 147 3 9 50 oz. Fresh Sample Date. June 26th 50 oz. The whole cut on June 26th. Weighed and taken back to field. Carted on June 29th. Plot 3. — Weight when out. No. of Load. Weight of Load. Samples to be Sundried. Fresh Samples. Date. 1 Cwt. qrs. lbs. 10 2 21 ez. 50 oz. June 27th 2 19 7 50 jj 3 12 50 „ 4 23 1 50 14 ,, 5 21 1 21 50 )> 6 • 11 a 50 >) 7 22 3 14 50 14 >> 8 28 50 " 157 7 Samples 26 400 oz. 28 oz. 156 3 9 The whole out and weighed on June 27th, Carted on June 30th. 18 Bristol Mnsilage Experimenis ; Table or Samples. — Weights, &c., op Hay. Plot 5. — Weight when cut. No. of Load. Weight of Load. Samples tfi be Sundried. Fresh Samples. Date. Cwt. qrs. Ibfs. oz. oz. 1 20 1 '7 50 .June 27 2 24 50 14- 3 27 2 50 * 19 2 7 50 5 22 3 7 50 14 June 27 6 19 2 50 7 18 21 50 8 24 1 50 1T6 14 Samples 26 400 28 The whole cut on June 27th, and carted on June 30th. 175 3 16 Plot 7. — Weight when cat: No. of Load. Weight of Load. Samples to be Sui.di'ied Eresh Sample. Date. Cwt qrs. lbs. 22 3 20 21 14 2 14 20 1 ■ 21 1 21 21 1 7 15 3 7 17 1 21 15 7 oz. 50 50 '50 50 50 50 50 50 50 14 June 29 July 1 159 3 14 SamjJes 1 1 450 28 159 2 13 Part of thia plot was cut on June 29th and part on July 1st, all carted on July 3rd. The whole thus being got without rain and in first rate order. The total weight when green was 31 tons, 19 cwt., 3 qrs., 14 lbs. The total weight of hay when weighed 3rd and 6tb April, 1886, as per weight book, 8 tons, 6 qwt., 2 qrs., 11 lbs, Report of Sub-Committee. 19 Tables op Samples, Weights, &c. op Silos. Silo 1. — Sour Ensilage rammed and compressed as rapidly as 'possible and to be kept down to 50" F. if possible. The only acid present in' this expected to be lactic and, perhaps, a little butyric. To be filled and covered in one dai/. Plot. No. of Load. Weight of Load. Sundried ' Green Siinij^e. Sample Date. Offt.qrs.lbs. Cover- ) ing ^ 1 3 6 boards j 2 A 4 B 1 2 3 1 Cwt.qrs.lb'!. 14 7 15 2 6 21 17 2 21 oz. 60 60 60 60 oz. 14 14 June 2fl June 29 4 1 63 1 21 200 I 28 Total .. 18 1 20 Samples. Less Total Ensiled 13 S3 1 8 Silo 1 was filled on June 26th from plot 2 a. On the 29th it had sunk 2ft. Sin , ho it was refilled from plot 4 b. A pressure of 2 cwt. per sq. ft. was applied by means of pig iron placed upon a double covering of boards. A slight rise in temperature took place after the refilling. The Ensilage had again sunk to 2 ft. 9in. on July 17th. Silo 2. — Sour Ensilage to be kept below \2Q" F. This should be trodden and compressed as much as loould be practicable in a general way. The acids here expected to be lactic and acetic. j Plot. No. of Load. Weight Load. Sundried Sample. Green Sample. Date. Cwt.qrslbs. Cwt.qrs.lbs. oz. oz. T-o'} 16 2 14 8a 1 2 11 3 14 12 3 7 60 60 24 July 1 Cover- ■) ing ^13 5 boards } SB 3 1 5 14 11 2 50 50 24 July 4 2 7 60 S July 9 3 2 60 S July 13 Total _ IS 1 19 6 60 1 7 • 21 300 44 Samples. Less .. Total Ensiled 60 14 20 Bristol Ensilage Eicperiments ; Silo 2 was filled on July 1st, three loads being taken from 6 A, It was weighted with 1 cwt. per sq. ft. and on July 4th had sunk nearly 2ft. It was refilled on the 9th, having sunk 16 in., and again on the 13th, having sunk lOin. The refillings were from 8 B. The temperature was fairly even throughout. The shrinkage on July 17th was 1ft. Sin. from top of Silo. Silo No. 3. — Sweet Ensilage made hy carting the grass direct to the Silo. Treading at the sides but not at the centre. Temp. 140° F to 150° F. Fruity Type of Sweet Ensilage. Plot. No. of Load. Weight of Load Sundried tjamples. Green Samples. Date. C\vt.qrs.lbs. T- of} 16 2 14 2b 4a 1 1 2 3 5 6 • wt. qrs. lbs. 14 2 12 3 21 7 3 21 3 3 7 5 3 7 3 21 oz. 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 oz. 14 18 24 24 24 8 8 June 26 „ 30 July 4 .. 7 „ 8 „ 11 „ 14 Total .. 18 .1 13 50 1 21 350 120 Less Oil weight of samples Total Ensiled 50 20 Filling was commenced on June 26th, and, as on the 30th, it had heated to 146°, a fresh lot was put in ; this reached 148° on July 4th, so another small load was put in. A small quantity was put in on the 7th, and that quickly heated, so a fresh lot was put on that on the evening of the 8th. The temperature kept high, but rather varied, which was owing to the grass lodging rather between tho tubes in which the thermometers were placed ; when this was pressed a little the temperature rose to 140°, so another load was ensiled on the 12th ; this reached 142° on the evening of the 13th, so another small quantity was put in. This reached 143° on the I6th, and the Silo was then covered in and weighted with 1 cwt. per square foot. The ensilage had sunk to 1 foot 5 incites from top of Silo gn July 17th, keport of Sui- Committee. 21 Silo No. 4. — Sioeet Ensilage. Grass allowed to lie one day in the field and then made in the same way as No. 3, Aromatic Type of Sweif Ensilage. Plut Weight of Load. No. of LoaU. ^un- dried Siim- ples. Green Sam- ples. Date. 6e C. q. lb.- Green ...20 2 7 1 oz. 50 oz. 14 June 30 Withered ... 9 1 7 35 14 July 1 Green ...17 7 2 50 24 ., 3 Withered ... 7 2 14 35 J4 , 4 Cwt.qrs.lbs. Green ... 5 2 14 3 50 24 , 7 T--f}l6 2 14 "^CrS^jl 2 19 Withered ... 3 14 Green ... 6 7 Withered ... 2 1 4 35 50 34 14 8 8 , 8 , 10 Green ... 4 2 7 Withered ... 3 2 7 5 50 50 8 8 , 11 Total ... 18 1 5 Total — Green ...52 3 14 less Samples 20 lbs. Withered ...25 3 14 „ 15 Ensiled Withered Cwts. 25 2 27 The first load for this plot was cut on June 30th, and, after lying in the sun for a day, was ensiled on July 1st. More than half its weight had evaporated, and it was found that there was not sufficient bulk to reach 140° in its then dried state ; so another load was put on the top of it on July 4th, but it was not until the 7th that it reached 142°. A fresh load (of course after laying in the field a day) was, therefore, put in, and this reached 149° on the evening of the bth ; and as this was small the temperature was up at 148° again by the 10th, so another small quantity was added, which rapidly rose to 150°, and on the 12th another small lot was put in and this reached 144° on the J 4th ; so during the day the Silo was covered in and lightly weighted to draw the temperature to the top, and was finally weighted with 1 cwt. per square foot on the 16th. 'Ihe top of the ensilage was 1 foot 8 inches from the top of the £>ilo on July 17th, and was then sinking. 22 Bristol iksiioffe ^Experiments '; Silo 5. — Sour Ensilage chaffed, the Silo filled and at once covered and weighted with, 1 cwt. per square foot. Plot. ]No. of Load. Weight of Load. Sundried Samples. Fresh Samples. Carbolic Acid Samples, Date. Cwt.qrs.lbs. Tareof) ,„ „ „ Silo. 1 16 3 Cover- \ ing I 1 3 i7 boards J 9 1 2 3 4 Cwt qrs.lbs. 13 14 20 1 17 2 14 11 7 oz. 52 80 70 44 oz. 13 20 174 11 oz 64 10 8i 54 June 29 If July 4 Total... 18 2 17 Samples ... 62 7 21 246 614 30J Total Ensiled ... 61 3 14 The grass for this had to be chaffed ; there was a good chaff cutter, worked by horse power, fixed in the barn, which Mr. Harding was kind enough to place at our disposal ; as this was under cover, sheltered from both wind and rain, the evaporation during the cutting and putting into the Silo, which was only about seven yards away, was reduced to a minimum and of great advantage for an exaot experiment. The first filling was begun on June 29th, and the Silo was well filled aud com- pressed, and at once weighted with 1 cwt. per sq. foot. On July 4th it had sunk nearly 2 ft. ; so another load was put in, and though this filled it, it had sunk another 1 ft. 8 in. on the I7th ; but it was then sinking very slowly. Silo 6. — Sweet Ensilage made by carting the grass direct to the Silo, chaffing it, treading at the sides, but not in the centre. 2'emp. 1^0° F to 150° F. Fruity type of Sweet Ensilage. This is the same as Silo 3, with the exception that it is chaffed. T„„i. NO. of ^^°^ Load. Weight of Load. Sun- dried Sam- ple. Fresh Sample Car- bolic Acid Sample Date. Tons. cwts. lbs. 10 1 Cwt. qs. lbs. 21 oz. 42 oz. 21 oz. 21 June 30 Tare of ) ir o n Silo ] ^^ ^^ Covering 1 i o 7 Boards ) ^^ ' 2 5 10 5 5 July 4 3 4 6 5 10 10 5 5 24 24 „ 6 ,, 8 5 6 7 7 14 28 28 7 7 34 3i „ 11 „ 13 Total ... 18 2 7 50 14 128 59 38 Samples 134 Total EnsUed 50 04 Meport of Sui- Committee. 23 The first load was put into this on June 30th, on July 4ih 146° wer.e recorded, so a small load was put in ; this rapidly rose to 148° so another lot was put in on July 6th ; this again rose quickly and a fresh lot was put in on the 8th, which went up to 142° on the 11th, so more was added on the 11th, and on the 13th the last load was put in as the temperature had risen 150°. This rose to 143° on the 16th, so it was Covered and slightly weighted in the morning, and in the evening was fully weighted with 1 cwt. per square foot. The Silo though it had been well filled previously was not full on the 17th by 1 foot 11 inches, and was apparently sinking. The Silos contain from 50 cwt. to 62 cwt. of grass. The temperatures have been on the whole very satisfactory, and in all the Silos the temperatures are on the decline, and there is no reason to suppose that there will be any reaction, or that they will increase after this. The hay seems to be increasing in tempera- ture, but is not likely to get much higher, and there is no fear of its getting dangerously, or injuriously hot. Mr. J. Tudor Cundall, of the University College, Bristol, has kindly undertaken to take the temperatures, as long as is necessary. It should be mentioned that the assistance we have received from the Ashton Court Estate has been given free of all expense to the Committee, Sir Greville Smythe making no charge either for horses, men, or machinery ; and my own thanks are certainly due to him, and to Mr. Dyke, as the help I received from" them relieved me of much anxiety and materially assisted in the successful carrying out of the experiments. I would thank Mr. Alder, for his valuable assistance, also Mr. Harding for the help he has given me, and all who have been connected in anylway with the work, for their hearty co-operation has materially lessened my own share of duties and responsibilities. I ought to particularly mention Mr. C Harris, the superintendent of the weighbridge, for the careful manner in which he took the weights ; and also Mr. Tyrrell for his willing compliance with my wishes, and for the promptitude with which he carried Ihem out. Sealing Peecautions. For protection against any tampering with the contents ot the Silos, and as a means of detection in case it is attempted, they were all carefully sealed up. Several tapes were placed across them and a private seal attached, so that nothing can be moved without either breaking the tape or seal. WALTER J. MALDEN, Cardington, July I7th, 1885. 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S 3 3 1 SSSE3S^S88B"'-SSS5^"8 26 Bristol Ensilage jExperiments ; Taking Samples op Ensilage and Hay foe Analysis. Tho sampling was commenced on February 26th, 1886, and finished on February 27th. In sampling Silo 1, a hole a foot square was taken and the contents drawn out by specially made hooks, but as it was necessaiy to cut with so much accuracy to effect this, a rather larger hole was made in the others. The samples were taken about 8 inches from (he sides of the Silos, and it is worthy of note that so well were they built and carefully put together, that not a piece of mould, was found near the side, a very unusual occurrence when wooden Silos are used, the mould very often running in for more than a foot near each joint. Each sample was obtained by mixing a section taken from top to bottom of the Silo 6 inches square, and then drawing out as much as was necessary, duplicates being taken to serve in case they were required. The temperatures of the Silos varied very little, the lowest being 38° and the highest 42°, the air outside at the same time being 34°. The hay which is in the open was 39°, or about an average with the Silos. Silo 1. The top of the Silage on July 17th was 33 inches, and when sampled, 39 inches from the top ct the fcilc, so it had sunk only 6 inches since, very little mould, not a trace being discernible after the first inch, though the Silage was of rather dark colour for about five inches, after which it got lighter and had all the appearance of a good sample. Four samples of 2 lbs. each were taken. Altogether 74 lbs. were taken out of the Silo, and will have to be allowed for when the weight of thebulk is ascertained. Temperature at Ift. 38°, at 3ft. 38°. Silo 2. The top of the Silage on July 17th, was 15 inches,'and when sampled, 31 inches from the top of the Silo, so that the shrinkage since then was 16 inches. As far as could be seen there was not the slightest mould on the top, though it was slightly darker for the first three or four inches than it was immediately below. The Silage appeared to be very good, if anything slightly moister than No. 1. In both the sour Silos the bulk had maintained its colour well. Samples 2 lbs. each, 66 lbs. to be added when Silos are weighed. Temperature at 1 ft. 39°, at 3 ft. 38°. Silo 3. The top of the Silage on July 17th was 17 inches, and when sampled, 32 inches from the top of the Silo, so that the shrinkage iieport of Suh-Gommtiiee, 27 was 17 inches. A slight mould for 3 or 4 inches, and dark for another 2 inches afterwards. The Silage was very sweet and uniform in quality, somewhat darker than the sour, but of much more pleasant smell. Samples 2 lbs. each. 88 lbs. to be added when Silos are weighed. Temperatures at 4 feet 38°, at 1 foot 39°. Silo 4. The top of the Silage on July 17tli was 20 inches, and when sampled, 30 inches from the top of the Silo, so that it had shrunk 10 inches. The mould ran variously about 6 inches down, some parts being affected and others not. Another slight vein about half an inch in thickness was found 2 feet down, and another not an eighth of an inch in thickness was found about 8 inches lower ; with these exceptions the Silage was remarkably sweet, with very little moisture, and smelt like hay. The weather, when the grass for this was cut, was exceptionally drying, and on an average it lost more than half its weight during the day it was lying in the field, and as it was left unweighted, and reached higher than 140° whilst fermenting, it can easily be understood that very little moisture would be found in the Silo. It has turned out to be a very good food, but can hardly be considered a succulent one. Most probably under ordinary circumstances when the weather is not so drying this type would turn out more succulent. Sample 2 lbs. 34 lbs. are to be added when the Silo is weighed. Tem- peratures at 1 foot 42°, at 3 feet 40°. Silo 5. The top of the Silage on July 1 7th was 20 inches, and when sampled, 25 inches from the top of the Silo, so it had shrunk 5 inches. This is the chaffed, sour bilo. This turned out very well, mould could only be traced 2 inches from the top, and there it was very slight. The rest came out moist and with the colour well kept ; it was apparently very similar, as far as could be judged by sight and smell, to Silo 2. Sample 2 lbs ; 96 ■lbs. to be added when the Silo is weighed. Temperature, I ft. 39°, 3ft. 40°. Silo 6. The top of the Silage on July 17th was 23 inches, and when sampled, 33 inches from the top of the Silo, so it had shrunk 10 inches. This is the chaffed, sweet Silo. The first four inches were mouldy, after which it was all very good and was apparently very similar to No. 3 Silo. Sample 2 lbs. ; 56 lbs. to be added when the Silo is weighed. Temperature, 3 ft. 41°, 1 ft, 40°. Hat. The hay for experimental purposes had been stacked so that it formed the bottom portion of the rick. A layer of straw was 28 Bristol Emitage ixperimenis; spread over it and several tons of hay built on the top so that the hay should have the advantage of being stacked in a fair manner, "without an undue amount of outside and without running into the roof, which is often more or less damaged, or, at any rate, not so valuable as where it receives a fair amount of pressure and heat. The average height of the hay was found to be a little under 7 ft. In sampling, a section was taken by cutting into the stack from the top and removing the surplus, after which six trusses were cut representing a cut into the stack for a distance of three trusses, two trusses deep ; from this a sample was taken. The total weight abstracted amounted to 419 lbs. which must be added when the bulk is weighed. The temperature was 39°. The hay has turned out of good quality, slightly browned by the heating, but not excessively. Sample 1 lb. in weight. W. J. MALDEN. Table of Weights of Hay and Ensilage made shewing Loss tN Weight. Silo No. 1. Sour Ensilage (long) — Total weight of Silo and contents ... Weight of Silo, including covering boards Net weight ensiled Net weight 13th April, 1886 Samples taken 26 and 27 Feb., 1886... Loss in weight . Silo No. 2. Sour Ensilage (long) — Total weight of Silo and contents ... Weight of Silo, including covering boards Net weight ensiled Net weight, 13th April, 188(i Samples taken 26 and 21 Feb., 1886... Loss in weiglit . Silo No. 3. Sweet Ensilage (long) — Total weight of Silo and contents ... Weiglit of Silo, including covering boards Net weiglit ensiled Net weight, 13th April, 1886 Samples taken 26 and 27 Feb. , 1886. . . Loss in weight . ct. 47 q. lb. 3 13 2 18 4-1 3 21 2 10 40 1 6 '3 4 ct. q. lb. 71 3 18 1 20 53 1 8 48 2 3 4 3 5 68 18 2 5 1 19 50 45 14 2 3 4 2 11 68 18 2 5 1 13 50 41 20 10 9 10 Report of Sub- Committee. 29 Silo No. 4. Sweet Ensilage — Total weight of Silo and contents . . . Weight of Silo, including boards ... Net weight ensiled 70 2 25 18 1 52 1 20 Net weight, 13th April, 1886 Samples taken 26 and 27 Feb. Loss in weight . 20 20 2 13 31 3 7 Silo No. 5. Sour Ensilage (chaffed)^ Total weight of Silo and contents ... Weight of Silo, including boards ... Net weight ensiled Net weight, 13th April, 1886 Samples taken 26 and 27 Eeb. Loss in weight ... 58 1 2 3 12 80 2 3 18 2 17 61 59 3 14 U 2 3 Silo No. 6. Sweet Ensilage (chaffed) — Total weight of Silo and contents ... Weight of Silo, including boards ... Net weight ensiled Net weight, 13th April, 1886 Samples taken 26 and 27 Feb. Loss in weight . 44 2 12 2 68 18 2 n 2 7 50 45 Oi 12 4 3 16J Hat. Net weight when green Net weight on 3 and 6 April, 1886, including samples taken 26 and 27 Feb. Loss in weight tons ct. q. lb. 31 19 3 14 8 6 2 11 23 13 1 3 30 Bristol JEnsilage 'Experiments; [copy.] Analytical Laboratory, 11, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, E.G., London, Ocif. 22, 1885. Bristol Ensilage Experiments. Mea'\i of Analyses of Samples of Grass used fo" filling the Silos. General Oomposition of tlie Grass. Moisture ... * Soluble Albuminoids t Insoluble Albuminoids Digestible I'ibre ... Woody Fibre |- Soluble Mineral Matter § Insoluble Mineral Matter Sohible Carbohydrates, chlorophyll, &c. Air dried. Dried at 212° F. 7-60 1-57 1-69 5-12 5-54 20-47 22-15 32-21 34-86 5-04 5-45 3-17 3-43 24-82 26-88 100-00 100-00 * Containing Nitrogen AllDum'inoid Nitrogen Non Albuminoid Nitrogen Total Nitrogen . . .. 1 Containing Silica •25 .. •27 ■82 ■89 1-07 1^16 ■26 . , ■2S 133 ^ 1-ii ■16 _ •17 1-91 ,, 2^07 (Signed) J. AUGUSTUS VOELCKER. 00 00 :^ W |H <^ — I o H CO M OS M 5^ So .2 a. CD lO CO eo S ^ S eo * CO (N rtl « O O 00 00 8 & O ■<** CO lO cs OOt-(MOOIMl>- ip ■_0 ^ p i>] O CO rt (M O ■«*< rH N t-- O ■* O >-( O CO o .— 1-1 CO »0 -if CD lO (N (M-#!D'*mtOt-Ca OiT-rc'tHiXJOtD.-' i>.oiiOi-<'~'E-eooio r^lOt~C000r^r-'00CD moo (N aa CO 00 I^ SO m fM P3 =■ o tH iH ti! n uj H <-! 9s <;o (N rn CO (7i in r- rn P w CO tH g f ?3 ■* S s K s s S rH CM C CD 11 s ^ 5 1 1 II a 5 ^ ^riiC-S.i'oors sirs ■8 d 1-9 a § 'l I 5 1 li PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE BRISTOL MERCURY