The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-09-03
The Value of Corn-Fodder for Cows.

the cares and eXcitementS of public life
for the more peaceful and we doubt not
more satisfying pursuits of agriculture,
not long ago reported to the Farmer S
Club of Groton, Mass, where he re-
sides, the results of some experiments
made by him to ascertain the compare
tive value of corn-fodder and hay as
food for cows. He does not, he says,
claim that single experiment is con-
elusive upon a question of value, but
the result is of sufficient Importance to
warrant further investigation, and to
stimulate the cultivation of the corn
crop in New England
Mr.. Boutwelrs method has been to
cut the corn at thesground as soon as
the seed is partially hardened, set it in
stocks and allow it to stand until both
the ears and stalks are ripe and fully
seasoned. The corn is then 'husked in
the field and, with the fodder, put IN
der cover as quickly as possible. For
feeding, the fodder is cut into pieces
about an inch in length, placed in large
| boxes, and there mixed with cob-meal
and saturated with water at the boiling
point. The boxes are then covered so
as to be nearly air-tight, and allowed to
stand about twelve hours before feed
ing. The following are the results as
reported by Mr.. Boutwell,:
The experiment was made last De-
cember. At that time my stock con-
sisted of forty-nine animals of various
sizes, but estimated to be equal to forty
six COWS. At the time the experiment
was made the feed of the stock per day
for the preceding three weeks had been
| as follows, viz:
Corn fodder, AGO pounds, valued at .... 81. 30
Hay, 300 pounds, fed dryD valued at. 49,. 800
Cob meal 200 pounds, valued at .......... 2 .0S
Upon this estimate the daily cost of
food for each animal was trifie more
than sixteen cents.
At the time the experiment was made
| had twenty-three COWS in milk of va
rious ages and conditions, and on
Wednesday, the 9Th of December, the
aggregate yield was 1873 pounds. On
Sunday, the 18th of December, the best
of English hay was substituted for the
corn-fodder, pound for pound, but in
all other respects the food was the
same. The hay-that is, 400 pounds
was cut, mixed with the same quantity
of meal as was used with the corn
fodder, and subjected in every particu-
lar to the same treatment. The same
quantity of dry hay as before was fur
nished in addition.
On Wednesday, the 18th of Deem
Der, the yield of milk was $50 pounds,
q loss of fourteen pounds. On Thurs
day, the 10Th, the use of corn-fodder
was resumed, and on the 22d of Decem-
Der the yield ofmilk was 3S2 pounds, a
gain of twenty-three pounds. One ex-
pertinent is not sufficient to establish or
overthrow a theory, and submit the
result in this case rather for the purpose
of provoking inquiry and encouraging
the application of other tests. If it
shall appear in the end, as L think it
will appear, that well-cured corn-fodder,
properly treated for animal food, is
equal pound for pound with good hay.
there will no longer exist even pretext
for neglecting the cultivation of corn in
New England.
The daily cost of supporting forty-six
cows upon hay was:
For 760 pounds hay at $40 per ton .....$76O
For 200 pounds cob-meal. 2.0S
Loooi SJOc
or twenty-one cents per COW.
This experiment, it will be observed,
shows what may be done in New En-
gland. In other parts of the country,
where the relative values may vary CON
siderably from Mr.. Boutwell's figures.
the results maybe very different. But
the statement has at least this value
everywhere, that it shows how import
ant to the farmer are careful observa-
ton and intelligent experiment in order
to ascertain what is the best method of
feeding for him to pursue. The best is
always the cheapest in the end. -E1am-
tner and Chronicle.