Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-08-19
How to Feed Soiling Crops.

There is right as also wrong way
of doing a thing. True economy con
sists in the right spending of what is
earned or saved. A farmer may pro-
duce successfully crops for soiling, and
yet waste his opportunity in using them
unless he feeds them in u proper man.
ner. When partial soiling is practiced
for the sake of helping out pastures, or
with the intention of manuring poor
piece of land by feeding the crops upon
ii so that the manure may be scattered
over the surface, two ends are served,
provided that the thing is done right,
which should be something as follows:
Provide suitable portable racks, and
place in the field; cut and carry the
fodder, and let it be eaten from these
racks, which should be moved from
place to place over the field, so that the
droppings and waste will be well spread,
or may be easily scattered over the
whole surface. This method is some-
what different from complete soiling,
where the cows are kept in yards and
stables, and the fodder is carried to
them, and their quarters are kept well
Uttered and bedded with absorbents
and materials for composts. This latter
course involves more labor, but the
larger product derived from the cows
through the high feeding, the quiet rest
and absence of unnecessary wasteful
exercise, freedom from troublesome in
sects, and the saving of time and flesh
in driving to and from pasture-repay
the extra labor literally, and the food
is all paid for by the large quantity of
manure made. Another gain is also
had in the saving of fences. Such prac-
tice is profitable on all farms near
to market. except such as cannot well
be plowed.
In the case of partial soiling, field
is selected where the COWS are kept
through the day. and perhaps the night,
being MIXED either in the held or driv-
en- up 10 the barn or yard for that pur-
pose, where plenty of water and shell
ter may be had. The former is the bet
ter practice, portable racks being pro-
vided. The fodder should be cut; that for
the morning at night, and that for the
night in the morning, at which times
the cows are fed, the quantity given de-
pending upon the amount of food to be
picked up in the pasture. No more
should be given than is cleanly con-
sumed with evident appetite. The
feeding should be done atregular hours,
the last cutting being given when an
! other is made. In case OF threatened
rain, enough may be cut for two or
three feelings, and be cooked up, SO as
to shed the rain partially, as if fed wet
it is not so good. If quite wet, only a
partial ration should be given at a time.
In feeding, it is not we'll to feed ripened
cornstalks only, with their foliage, as
often the cows teeth get sore or tender,
but some softer feed should be given a
portion of the time. Sweet corn fodder
will be found to produce more milk
than Indian corn, besides being better
eaten, with less liability of causing the
teeth to become tender.
In complete soiling, the feeding is
best done after milking in the morning,
and before milking in the evening; a
small feed of some kind may be given
after milking in the evening. Ii the
feeding is done in the yards, racks
should be provided to prevent waste OF
the fodder. Experience will determine
that feeding had better be done in the
stables, and the feed consumed at other
times than when milking. Cor Coun.
try Gentleman,