The Great Ensilage Experiment of 1887
When an experimental farm in King County opened its massive silo, it sparked a neighborhood sensation that smelled like 'the mischief' but promised a revolution in Washington agriculture.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
On Saturday, the 10th of December, we opened the south silo. This was an event for this farm, and we believe for the Territory as well. While this has an economical side, there likewise came a comical view in sight, or, rather, in hearing; or, rather, more accurately speaking, into smelling. Just why, we cannot say, but the very top, when first opened, smelled like the mischief, as one of the men said. Taking some of the contents to the house, Jane said, 'It stinks—take it away!' Oliver, coming in a little later, noticing an odor, exclaimed, 'Where have you been?' Three times washing the hands still left the odor on them. 'The cows won't eat that,' said one. 'Has it kept?' said another. But two of us went at it in earnest and took off a wagon load from the top for the young stock, and then piled out a feed for the cows. Thirty-two cows were on that side of the barn, and thirty-two cows were eating ensilage in short order after it was within their reach. The whole came out yet hot, and, as thrown upon the barn floor, the steam came up as from a boiling kettle. It was soft and moist, yet as sound as the day it was put into the silo. The corn stalks looked as if they had been pickled and toasted. An ear of corn stripped of the husk had the appearance of a roasting ear cooked in an iron pot and discolored. All had a sour taste and smell, but no more so than the ensilage we saw at three different places last April in New York.
“Just why, we cannot say, but the very top, when first opened, smelled like the mischief, as one of the men said.”
Today's agricultural tech in Washington remains focused on efficiency, but this 1887 account shows the persistent struggle of farmers to innovate against climate and cost. Much like current debates over high-density housing or local sustainability, the 'Farm and Home' column highlights the tension between traditional methods and new, often controversial, capital investments.
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