Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-12-12
A9rif
Corn and Cob Meal.

We believe it has been proved from chemical
analysis that the cob has some little nutrition, and
some have strongly advocated its use because cows
occasionally will eat cobs when thrown before
them. We have seen stock nibble away alta heap
OF freshly shelled cObs, and at one time believed
it would pay to grind them up for food, but from
considerable experience and observation in feed
ing corn and cob meal, il is our opinion that the
cob is Of no benefit, but on the contrary Is posi-
lively Injurious, when so fed. If stock are some
times seen eating cobs 1t is on account Of a per
wrted appetite or because there are occasional
kernels Of corn left on the cob, which sometimes
happens in careless shelliLg, especially on the
small ends.
We have tried the meal in various ways for
fattening and as feed for dairy stock in spring,
and NEVER with satisfactory results. When FED
for some little length Of time the hard, sharp
particles Of the cob produced an irritating effect,
causing diarrh9I in some instances to such an ex
tent that its use had to be abandoned. In other
cases The particle Of cob were yoided without be-
ing properly dgesed, and in experiments with
equal quantities of the grau part of which was
ground with the cob and part without il, the
latter invariably produced the best results. When
corn and cob mea is fed 10 swine it has been
known to produce constipation and death, and in
raw state is Justly considered dangerous food
for this class of animals. We have never tried
steaming and cooking the meal for stock and
possibly it might be used with safety 10 this man
ner, but It's nutritiye value is so sma that the
only benefit that be derived from its use is as
divisor for extending the stomach and render
Ing the food less concentrated. But even il this
object is sought for, II is preferable to use the
pure meal on cut hay or straw, a bushel OF which
may be cut much cheaper than the cob can be
ground. Another objection to its use is that the
cob being lighter than the grain is not inclined to
mix evenly aud when a considerable quantity is
ground up at one time, il is difficult 10 get it
evenly distributed 50 that the quantity fed from
day to day will be alike. Ol course, with proper care
and attention it could be evenly mingled together,
but often this is neglected, and the animals 10 con-
sequence are fed with irreguarty.
Some years ago the daiymen Of llerkimer
made On extensive use OF corn and cob meal as a
spring feed for stock and its value has been thor
oughly tested. Ii has now been generally aban-
doned, and will not again be introduced by those
who are acquainted with its qualities and their ei-
feet upon stock
We are in favor OF using all the material on
the farm that can be prohtably converted into
heathful food for domestic animals, but the
amount of nutrition in the thirteen pounds Of cob
n each bushel OF corn is not Of sufficient value to
warrant its use in any way that has yet been pro-
posed. The bare act Cf grinding or crushing the
cob adds nothing to its nutrtiye value. 1t is put
in shaps, it is true, when mixed with meal, for
cheating stock into eating it but it gives moth
ing 10 the flesh, nothing to the milk, while il de-
ranges the digestive operations and health Of the
animal. Such is its practical working, and it il
useless to cheat ones self by analyses and theories
into the belief that saving is being made wher
in reality there is loss Utica Herald.