The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-03-20
Soilinp Crops for Cows.

SOllluS OIOpS lOl NOUcs
tits seldom that the summer month
pass in any year, writes a dairyman il
The Ltve- Stock journal, that drought
more or less severe. does not occu
during July, August, or September
and sometimes it happens that no rail-
at all falls in any of these months. Th'
result of this is an entire scorching ant
destruction of the pastures, and con
sequent decrease of the milk flow. Hay
and grain feed is not a sufficient sub
stitute for the grass, and no amount
of it fed to the COWS will produce as
rood results in milk and butter. II
therefore becomes important for the
dairy farmer to prepare for such an
emergency. This is done very cheaply
and with little labor by the use OF
green corn, planted in early May, con-
tinuing every two weeks until tie
middle of June. The corn should
be sown thickly-on well-preparsd
ground, the richer the soil the better
will be the results-in rows two and
one-half or three feet apart; this adj
mits of cultivation, free circulation of
air, and promotes the growth of the
young plants. When the corn has at
tanned height of three to four feet it
Is ready for use, and may be cut and
given to the COWS, The most econom-
zeal plan for feeding is to haul it to
the stable and feed it to the cows at
milking-time, in the hangers. If fed
upon the ground waste will be
caused by it being trampled upon
BY the master cattle in their greed to
pet more than their share and in driv-
ing the timid ones of. By the manger
system of feeding, each animal is pro-
vided with the proper amount, and
she is at full liberty to enjoy it at her
leisure. An increased flow of milk will
follow; the cattle will thrive better be-
cause Of the agreeable change of food,
and the general condition of the herd
will be greatly improved.
Green oats, millet, clover, rye, or
any of the rapid-growing grasses will
answer the same purpose, but corn
prepared and used as directed is much
The best. Cattle will eat the stalks
with great relish. even after they have
become hardened and partially dry.
Some of the larger kinds of sugar corn
make the most successful soiling crop,
and are to be preferred to the ordinary
ield corn, because they contain more
saccharine matter, and are conse-
1uently eaten with more relish, and |
possess greater nutritious qualities.
All animals confined in the stable or
lebarred the privileges of the pastures
should by all means be provided with
green crop in summer. Growth,
thrift. and health imperatively demand
mch diet. Bulls that are kept for
,ervice are usually confined in box
stall, with yard adjoining fer exer-
,iee, but never allowed the freedom of
! run at grass. These will be i'm
benefited by daily rations
If green food from the beginning to
he end of the growing season. If he
Do a Jersey bull, the characteristic
yolden, yellow skin, SO often promi-
lent in this breed, will be to degree
.bsent unless he is fed upon green
God. This consideration alone is
worth, to breeder of Jerseys, all the
Rbor and expense of preparing the
rop, for there is no outward indica-
ion of richness and fine quality in this
reed of cattle that elicits so much adj
niration and contributes as much
'alue as beautiful orange skin, and
here is no kind of food that will pro- ..
uce this condition to perfection like !
rass, or some substitute in the form !
+ green food. For calves or young !,
took in the stables or deprived of free i,
llowance of grass, it is indispensable
, thrifty growth and development.
Fifteen or twenty rows, fifty yards
,ng, planted near the barn, at the in
rivals suggested, will furnish an !
mazing quantity, abundant to supply :
fly or more cattle literally every day
ntil the next crop is large enough to !
ed. If more be grown than is re-
uired for summer use, it makes an =
xcellent winter feed if cut when the
ars are beginning to form, cured and !:
ed into bundles convenient for hand
ng, and stored in dry place, under .
oof is best, but it will keep perfectly '
nd be eaten by the stock with injoy- =
lent and benefit if well and securely
,acked out of doors. The dairyman
no once tries the experiment of grow u
g soiling crop for his cattle in sum- .
er will not attempt to get along with !.
1t it. 1t is cheap, easily grown, and u u
10 returns are enormous.