The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-01-07
Ght @armer.
Feed for Mich Cows.

A correspondent OF the Cn1caSO FufHt-
ers Rerie,o saws There is now, after a
thorough trial, no doubt in my mind that
cotton seed meal is valuable feed for mich
cows, more especially in the winter season.
Better manure is one result, and more milk
another; and though we might wish the
price were less, still we would not consent
to fill cut our cold weather ration without
it. Three pints per day, with three quarts
of meal, makes two good rations for COW
at this time, while quite feed of grass
continues. When the green fodder has
vanished l increase the feed for one COW to
FIVE quarts meal and two quarts cotton seed
till about New Year | then continue the
&cotton seed the same, and mix shorts and
meal with it in place of clear meal To be
understood plainly, in place of five quarts
of meal, use three quarts of meal, four
quarts shorts, add to same two quarts cot
ton seed divide into three rations, as |
then feed at noon, which Is not required at
present or for a month to Gomez nine
quarts in ALL Farmers this way are slow
to take to new mode of feeding, and to
many of them cotton seed is a new thing.
While they can but own my cows always
show their keeping and come out splendidly
in the spring, they hesitate to try the same
method with their own, because they rea-
son that it costs more than it comes to.
But experience teaches me different les
son, that judicious feeding pays, and also
that plentiful feed brings its return over
barely livable one. with no surplus, and
the stock come out better for the next sea
sons start. When | get ten cents worth
more If milk for four cents worth more of
cotton seed (the other feed being the same
/ should be unwise not to use the cotton
seed for this daily gain, and that is just
what it has done for my stock for the past
three seasons.
Cabbage may, this winter, be considered
a valuable help in the feed ration. The
high price of grain tends to make us more
saving of those roots suited to the stable.
/ have discussed the question of fodder
heretofore in the Rericg, but Vet | think,
rs We live and learn, there may always be
word s;lid, If not in advance Of, in con
nection with, the other words spoken be-
fore Many farmers in the East raise tur-
nips, and the bulk Of them appear to be
straDIeaf or round. They raise them to
feed to dairy stock; why they do soappears
wonder to me, though of course, it is no
affair of mine You may impart the nu-
trinent of fresh roots in the turnip that
stock requires, but doubt if there be much
gain in the flow of milk and surely no ad
vantage to what we style butter cows.
The sweet German. or ruta baga, are much
to be preferred to the strap-leaf as furnish
ing many times the sustenance or heart
that is available in the round variety. 1t
is only advisable think, to feed turnips
to dairy stock when other fodder rams short,
and then only in light quantities and at
proper intervals. Cabbage is evidently
much more beneficial without the obiee-
tionable features of the turnip, regarding
flavor in the product Why farmers do
not raise more eabbages and less turnips |
am. ii a loss to understand for experience
has taught me that can make more butter
on cabbage I'm combination. Of course, with
grain feedl than | can from tlIrnips; that
Is to say. | can raise an acre of cabbages
cheaper than an acre Of turnips. Having
proven It on my own grounds the verdict
must naturally be with me, that cabbage Is
king for green fodder in winter for milk Of
butter COWS.
Sweet fern. Wen. what of it2 just
this. Don't 20 round your pastures look
ing over the fence with sad, disconsolate
face al the sweet fern growing up thrifty
half over the place If ii covers half the
Geld, that win do | shouldn't care to
have it all ferns. When your cows 20 out
in the spring, they viii strike for the ferns,
and under them their sweetest morsels find,
and in summer time viii browse the leaves,
and in the fan the twigs even, and about
that time you'll have the incest butter Of
the year Try one COW in pasture with
the fern and another in a field clear of
them. and note the difference, and think
You viii be satisfied the sweet fern pasture
j. not the worst lot on the farm, though
very many people seem given over to that
idea The best butter have ever sent to
market was made from just such pasture,
bringing from my customers forty cents
pound, who pronounced it the finest butter
they had ever eaten.