Crotalaria for Forage


knew the source of any sample. These samples were judged for
odor and flavor by 12 persons. Based on their independent opin-
ions no flavor or odor characteristic of C. intermedia silage was
detectable. Some feed flavor was detected in the milk of the
cows receiving alfalfa, and less in the milk from cows on grass
pasture.

 V. ENSILING STUDIES WITH CROTALARIAS
 Ensilability of Several Crotalarias in Laboratory Silos.-
Four small monolithic concrete pit silos were constructed, hav-
ing approximately one-ton capacity. These silos had an inside
diameter of 43 inches and were between 74 and 81 inches in
depth. Each silo was filled with one species of crotalaria cut
into 11/2-inch lengths in a silage cutter, weighed, and packed in
the silo by tamping and tramping the cut forage. A piece of moist
burlap was placed over the top surface; additional cut material
was packed above this burlap, and the whole was covered with
approximately two feet of earth, cone-shaped to shed rain.
 A 10-kilogram sample of the cut forage was placed in a
muslin bag near the center of the silo at the time of filling, and
a corresponding sample of the fresh material was taken for chem-
ical analysis. These samples were used to determine the ensiling
changes with each forage (20). Nine species were handled in this
manner, including C. anagyroides, C. goreensis, C. grantiana, C. in-
cana, C. intermedia, C. lanceolata, C. spectabilis, C. striata, and C. usara-
moensis. The ensiling interval with the several species varied
from 49 to 81 days.
 The four silos were opened at one time. All spoiled and
sound silage beneath the burlap was weighed when removed.
Measurements of depth of the silage were made daily, on which
to base calculations of its density.
 As mentioned previously, these silages were used to deter-
mine the relative palatability of the several species of crotalaria
when offered to cattle during 1932 and 1933. Whatley's Prolific
field corn was used to fill one silo. The species preferred in 1932,
and in the first trial during 1933, were used along with the two
remaining species for the final trial.
 All nine species of crotalaria ensiled satisfactorily in the
small silos by the method described. The majority of these silages
had a desirable light green color, except C. spectabilis, which was