The practice of ensiling has in recent times been greatly extended, with much change of method, at least in America. For the structures employed, see silo. The largest use of silage is on dairy farms, Indian corn being in the United States by far the most important material. Success in making silage lies in thoroughly excluding the air. Close packing is required and coarse material, such as Indian corn, should be cut up fine. The top of the mass is not now weighted. Slow filling is found to be better than rapid filling, since it gives time for settling and permits a temporary heating which expels all the air not consumed by the live tissues. This initial heating, formerly ascribed to fermentation, is now believed to be due to respiratory processes. See the phrases below.
