Crotalaria for Forage


 An examination of the chemical analyses, on the dry mat-
ter basis, of the samples of fresh C. intermedia from which these
silages were made (see Table 20), shows that the early-cut forage
contained over 19 percent of crude protein, 31.6 percent of fiber,
34 percent of nitrogen-free extract, and a high percent of ash.
(Rain fell during the harvest and part of the plants were spatter-
ed with sand.) The C. intermedia harvested in the early pod stage
contained less than 12 percent of protein and over 47 percent of
crude fiber. These differences in composition are considered to
be a cause of the reduced palatability of the late-cut forage.
 Ensiling Efficiency of Concrete Silos.-The ensiling efficien-
cy with crotalaria in the one-ton laboratory silos, and of
C. intermedia in a 20-foot upright monolithic concrete silo, was
determined. Methods of handling the forage and samples con-
nected with the one-ton silos have been described.
 An upright concrete silo 20 feet in height and 10 feet in di-
ameter was filled with C. intermedia cut into three-fourths inch
lengths, and tramped during the filling process. Each year five
10-kilogram samples of freshly cut C. intermedia were placed in
moist muslin bags distributed at intervals in the silo, and cor-
responding 10-kilogram samples were taken to represent the fresh
forage at time of ensiling. Two-ply roofing paper was placed
over the top of the weighed forage and about two tons of cut
crotalaria were packed over this to seal the silo.
 This silo was opened after ensiling periods of 82, 96, and 79
days respectively, in the three years that it was used during the
investigation. All sound and spoiled silage was weighed when
removed, and depth of the silage was measured at 5-day inter-
vals. The total weights of forage ensiled and silage removed are
given in Table 22.

TABLE 22.-Amrou-Ts oF C. intermedia IN TIE UPRIGHT SILO, USED IN INVESTIGA-
 TIONS OF THE DIGESTIBILITY, COMPARATIVE FEEDING VALUE, AND ENSILABILITY OF
 THIS CROP.
 Stage of
 Develop- Forage Ensiling Feeding Sound Silage Spoiled Silage
Year ment Ensiled Period Period Removed Removed
 pounds days days pounds pounds percent
 1933 bud 50,220 82 131 37,762 7,775 17.1
 1934 bud 60,415 96 157 59,327 348 .6
 1935 bud 48,170 70 140 42,868 1,229 2.8

 The samples of silage in the muslin bags were recovered and
their analyses used in calculating the efficiency of preservation