Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-27
Reported for the vERMoSr FARMER.
EAST ST. JOHNSBURY FARMERS
lr CLUB. a.rrr

successful1y"
Dea. Griswold related his fathers method
Of using straw as food for cattle as follows
After threshing, all the straw was replaced
upon the mows to remain until the next hay
ing season. 1t was then mixed with the half
made hay as il was carted to, tho barn. A
good supply of salt was sprinkled upon it at
the same time, for preservation. In this way
some labor in drying was saved, and the
straw mixture made excellent feed for cattle
the next winter.
Mr.. Grout spoke of tho practice of feed.
ing cattle before light, mornings, and late at
night. He did not consider it good economy,
though he used to practice this method. He
said they were not apt to be properly fed,
and that it required more hay to keep them
in good condition. Other members of the
club said, this feeding cattle early and late,
is unnatural, as they are seldom seen eating
in their pastures, if grass is plenty, after
sunset.
THE question was asked "At what part
of the winter is i. best TO use the poorest
portion of feed p Mr. l.. Cheney replied,
"From the Goth of Dec. till Feb, because
stock requires the best Of hay Immediately
after leaving grass so that the change of diet
may not be too abrupt, and as spring APP
proaches, cows, especially, need tho best Of
feed again, to sustain the extra demands Of
their systems and the other animals require
It as their appetites are not so good as in
colder weather. He uses roots with the
poor hay.
Many views were expressed in regard to
curing corn stalks; whether they should be
thoroughly dryed or left in damp, and
frequently mouldy condition. All agreed
that it was very difficult to prevent mould
ing, and some thought it was no great dam.
age, as cattle seemed to prefer them in this
condition. N. X. Hovey accounted for this,
from the fact that cattle sometimes get sore
mouths from eating stalks in dry condition,
and also, if cattle do not have water enough,
they will relish the dampness better. Mr..
Styles said, that although it might be too
dry, if very mouldy it would not be of any
value to cattle except for bedding.
j. 6. HOvey said 1.-The question before
us this evening is one Of the greatest far
mer can raise,--second only to the best meth.
cd Of raising the various crops which are re-
quired as food for our cattle. 1t is very
much with cattle as with men, if kept on
Johnny cake all the time, they will soon get
sick Of it, if kept continually on sweet cake,
their stomachs soon lose all relish for that, and
they will desire change. In like manner
we should not feed our stock all bay, or all
straw, but keep little of each variety Of
fodder through the winter. have noticed
that straw can even be fed after hay, and
cattle seem to like it nearly as well. would
recommend feeding different kinds the same
day, sometimes corn fodder, then hay or
straw, then roots if you have them, or meal.
Anything for a variety. The number of
times feeding, is another great thing |
think three times day is enough, Do not
feed before light. do not believe in going
into the barn, choring, with lantern. Cat
tie do not need early feeding now more than
in summer, and we never observe them roam
ing about their pastures after dark, or before
sunrise in quest of food. feed my stock at
sunrise, turn them all out for water at nine
o'clock, put them up and feed again, then
once more at sunset. In this way my cattle
need no tending at noon, which saves time,
and think, secures better result than
too frequent feeding and watering
Mr.. Smith, said 81 feed three times u
day. Cows have hay or well cured corn
fodder--not much straw. Young cattle have
mixture of hay and straw. The mixing is
done on the floor at tie time Of feeding.
They also have four quarts of turnips every
morning, when | raise a crop. feed my
poorest hay in mid winter, and salt all the
cattle frequently, as do not believe in salt
ing the mows in haying season, even if the
hay is not quite made, for think it does
more hurt than good. Sometimes place a
large stone in the pitching hole" to absorb
the moisture. | think after cattle are in the
habit of drinking once day, it is as good as
twice, as they do not require large guam
tity of water in winter. Cattle fed freely on
potatoes require no water"
Mr.. l.. Cheneys method of tending stock
is nearly the same as Mr.. Smiths. lie says
cows require % pounds ofhay daily, or 2per
cent Of their weight, as COWS average about
100.
Mr.. Styles says cattle should be kept in
their stables most Of the time till spring,
when they may be let out more, to receive
the benefit Of sunshine. They also require
more water at this season of the year.
Mr.. A. Il. Hovey says: 81 feed my cat
tie all they will cat at about half past seven
o'clock every morning. Then in about one
hour 20 around to each stall to see il
they have all eaten enough which | can tell
at glance, as cattle have sort of animal
eloquence easily understood. Those that re-
quire more, feed; and then at nine, turn
them all out to water, and sec that every one
drinks, which they will readily do if properly
fed. Then, after cleaning the stables, | put
them all up to remain till half past three
not even allowing boy to enter the barn ii
quest of hens eggs, for fear Of disturbing
them. They will lie down in three quarter
of an hour, in perfect animal cOntentment til
l visit them again at half past three O'Clock