[a. F. ensilage, f. ensiler: see ENSILE v.]
1. The process of preserving green fodder in a silo or pit, without having previously dried it.
1881. Salem (Mass.) Gaz., 10 June, 1/2. On ensilage of Green Forage Crops in Silos.
1882. J. E. Thorold Rogers, in Macm. Mag., No 278. 114/1. Ensilage is the packing of green forage in air and water-tight structures.
1882. T. Christy, in Times, 30 Nov., 11/6. The object of ensilage is to maintain the sap as nearly as possible in its original state.
1884. Boston (Mass.) Jrnl., 20 Nov., 2/4. Norfolk is the county where the ensilage of fodder is most practised.
2. The material resulting from the process.
1881. Echo, 11 June, 1/6. Ensilage … is produced by cutting green fodder of different kinds when well matured … and pressing it down in water-tight pits, subsequently also made air-tight.
1882. T. Christy, in Times, 30 Nov., 11/6. About 3in. of the ensilage was found to be mouldy.
3. attrib.
1883. Edin. Rev., Jan., 150. Five separate manufacturers advertised ensilage cutters.
1888. Times, 24 July, 13/1. Those who were prepared to make ensilage stacks.
