There is nothing mysterious about ensilage, as this thoroughly practical book shows. It is a process for the practical farmer just as much as harvest or haymaking, and it by-passes some of the difficulties in other practice that the most experienced cannot always overcome. The book is just what we might have expected from Mr. Moore, whose practical experience over more than ten years extends from the time when the tower silo was the alternative to pit or stack ensilage and throughout the period of the introduction of the smaller containers of wood, concrete and then of wire and paper, with consequent cheapening of the process.
Mr. Moore has worked for and seen improvements in the technique of silage making, and this with wide experience in general cropping led to his being seconded to the West Riding W.A.E.C. as cropping and silage officer. He has the ability to pass on his knowledge to farmers in non-technical language, as readers of The Farmer & Stock-Breeder have found.
He has supervised 30 large-scale practical demonstrations on the making and feeding of silage, besides many on cropping and grassland.
During the past year, with the assistance of his staff, Mr. Moore has given assistance to 350 farmers in setting up the equipment for and starting the making of silage. In the past three years he has been called in to over 500 silos as a consultant and in ten has given over 150 lectures to farmers and paid an indefinite number of advisory visits.
This brief sketch (much more might be said) indicates Mr. Moore's extended and varied experience and explains the lucidity of this practical little volume.
If any justification is necessary for writing a book about silage, the pronouncements of those whose task it is to guide the ship of state on its present perilous voyage must be deemed an adequate reason.
The Prime Minister's warning, "Every endeavour must be made to produce the greatest volume of food of which this fertile island is capable . . . ," and the Minister of Agriculture's more specific recommendation, " For the sake of your cattle, for the sake of your pocket, and for the sake of preserving all we can of our livestock," treat this silage question with all possible seriousness. Silage may well prove the salvation of your stock," have riveted attention on ensilage. By this process the fruits of the soil, the lush grass, clover, and forage crops of summer, can be preserved conveniently and efficiently for use in the lean winter months.
In recent years great progress has been made in the technique of the process, and in the immediate future we may expect tremendous developments in the extent of the practice of ensilage.
Thus has arisen the need for a book, written in non-technical language, embodying the latest information on the subject, and outlining those methods which personal knowledge and experience have shown to be sound and practical.
It is my sincere hope that this small volume will serve the needs of the large number of farmers who are now seeking information on the subject.
I am indebted to my colleagues, Mr. T. L. Bywater, Mr. J. S. Willcox, and Mr. W. H. Long, for their help and suggestions in the preparation of the book.
