Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-17
MisfellamepMs.
SOILING FOR MICH cows.

In many portions of our State, farmers
are giving more attention, year by year,
to the raising Of dairy products. in some
| cases from choice, and, in other cases,
quite as much from necessity. in order to
maintain the productions Of the soil, which
it is very difficult if not impossible, to do
when the attention is wholly turned to the
raising of grain.
Generally speaking, the farmer estimates
the number of cows he can keep according
to the extent of his pasture, grass being
in most instances the sole reliance for the
food of cattle from spring to autumn.
Every farmer knows that during the sea-
son for pasturing the supply of grass is
very unequally distributed. ssss
In the spring and early summer there
is an overflowing abundance, a consider
able percentage of which must actually
run to waste, if such an extent of pastur-
age is given as will afford sufficiency
during the middle and latter part of sum-
mer. The spring. with its seasonabIe
rains and prodigality of verdure and sue
culence. is followed usually in midsum-
me- with drought and scorching heat,
and consequently with a stinted measure
of tough dried grass.
Some farmers are careful not to allow
their pastures to be eaten too close during
the early part of the season. Such half
| depastured fields will, of course, afford
better maintenance for cattle during the
time of drought and scarcity than fields
where the supply has been kept inconven-
ently short; but even then it will be
found that the quality of the grass has
greatly deteroriated, the cattle will lose in
| flesh. and the supply of milk will be great
| ly diminished.
The subject of soiling (summer feeding)
Tor cattle, especially for milch cows, al.
though thoroughly appreciated by some
OF our most enterprising farmers and dairy
men. is yet too generally ignored.
by devoting comparatively small
piece OF land in high state of cultiva-
ton to the raising of some succulent
plant, liberal supply of green fodder
can be obtained by the feeding of which
the flow OF milk will be kept up, and also
the condition of the animal improved.
For milch cows should prefer to raise
corn for sOiling, sown broadcast or in
drills; some preterring one method and
some the other. For other stock perhaps
clover can be raised quite as proftably.
If the ground is sufficiently rich the clo-
yer can be cut frequently, giving good
yield at each moving.
In central New York, where the farm.
ers are almost exclusively engaged in the
manufacture of butter and cheese, the
practice of raising green fodder for feed.
ing cows in summer. principally in Au-
gust and September, is almost universal.
| believe it is the large western corn
which they mostly sow for this purpose.
1t is common practice with some of the
most etnerprsing dairymen. when the sea-
son of hot, dry weather and stunted grass
comes on, to turn their cows into con-
venent field where they are fed with corn
fodder. This change of food after the
heat and exhaustion of the day is emil
nently gratifying and invigorating to the
cattle. The pastures meanwhile are being
gradually renewed by cooler nights and
more moisture, and when the cows are
turned back upon them they have the
benefit of another wholesome and crafty
ing change OF food.
Farmers who adopt this plan will find
that they can keep larger number of
cows, have them in better condition in the
fail, and find also that the profits of the
dairy are thereby considerably increased.
Il. g. Bard, in Nicht0an Farmer