Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-06-24
Selling Cattle.

OK this subject the Men Engtznd
Farmey has the following remarks;
On our own farm soiiing has been
practiced quite extensively for more
than twenty-five years. At first we were
not inclined TO recommend the practice
TO farmers in general, but only TO those
who might, like ourselves, be located
where good pastures all the summer long
are entirely out Of the question; but, as
our reading and observation have been
extended, we are inclined TO believe that
paytsal soiIing, at least, Is a practice that
might well be adopted on nearly, orquite
all dairy farms.
Feeding green food 10 cattle In their
stalls In summer was formerly consid.
cred advisable only In villages or near
cities where grazing lands were held at
prices too high for ordinary farming pur-
poses, and those writers who treated the
subject through the newspaper press al
most invariably spoke disparagingly OF
the soiling system, except under such
circumstances as we have named. On
comparatively cheap lands, away from
the cities, and especially at the West, II
was believed that the expenses OF soiling
cows would always far exceed the adj
vantagcs which might accrue.
But within the past few years, since
the dairy interest has assumed such an
important position among the agricult-
ural industries OF our country, IL has
been discovered by hundreds OF enter.
prising farmers in all the Northern and
Western States that feeding cows at the
stall during portions Of the summer sea-
son, for the purpose OF keeping up a reg
ular and uniform flow of milk, is not
only commendable, but almost an in.
dispeDsable, practice. During the past
year we have seen urgent appeals from
leading Western dairymen to the farm.
ers OF Wisconsin. Michigan, Minnesota
and other far Western States 10 raise
special forage crops for feeding TO cows
In summer, and we no longer feel diff.
dent about urging farmers everywhere to
practice this system Of summer feeding
To such an extent as each may find prof
liable in his own particular case.
Spring rye, II sowed very thick, say
four bushels 10 the acre, and cut as soon
as IL begins 10 blossom or little be-
fore, will, If well cured. make hay that
will be eaten by horses In winter with a
fair relish, but we should not recon-
mend Its use on u large scale for cows in
milk, without further trial. We raised
field OF II last year and intend 10 re-
peat the experiment this season, although
II was not fully successful last year as
substitute for hay for cows. II probably
stood little too late. What Ia true OF
spring rye Is equally true OF the winter
variety. Both make excellent green
feed for cows II cut early enough, but
they are In perfect condition but
short time. We consider both Indis-
pensable on all farms where soiling Is
carried on, or where one wishes TO keep
a heavy stock OF cattle In proportion to
the number Of acres We should not
mix oats and rye together, as they do not
ripen at the same time The spring rye
will be several days earlier than the oats,
and II allowed 10 stand till the oats were
grown would be almost or quite worth.
less AS feed. Better SOW them separately,
and cut Of each what will be needed for
| feeding grain, and cure the remainder at
the right time for winter fodder.
Oats, we think, will be liked rather
better by your cattle than rye, although
much depends upon the age at which
they are cut, and the quantity Of seed to
| the acre. The finer the fodder, other
| things being equal, the better IL will be.
and the earlier IL Is cut the better II will
| be, IL IL has nearly reached its full height
and Is thoroughly cured.