Maize silage. I

Abstract

It has been shown that maize silage of good quality can be produced with losses of dry matter which are not necessarily much greater than those which characterise the production of oat and tare silage.Excessive drainage of juice consequent on immaturity of crop contributes materially to the total loss of dry matter.The main reason for the comparative failure of attempts in this country to produce maize silage successfully from the points of view of quality and economy lies probably in the general use of the late maturing variety, American Horse Tooth. Success will probably depend on growing a variety of maize which is able to reach a desirable stage of maturity under English conditions before being cut for the silo. Preliminary trials have indicated that the necessary qualities may be found in certain varieties like Saltzer's North Dakota, Longfellow, Compton's Early and White Cap, all of which mature at least a month before American Horse Tooth.