Morris tribune., 1888-06-27
ROOT AND GRAIN FOOD.

Outhlheu TIE It1uitnui ccAAS0s "a
most interesting and valuable tests
which have been made recently at the
Guelph Agricultural college. The
practical question TO be determined
was the relative value OF roots and
grain as food for cattle. OF course
where dairying interests are consider
able, 1t is a first object to maintain
the yield and quality of milk during |
the winter months and do this with |
the greatest economy by using the
cheapest food. Grain feeding for
cattle Is expensive, and especially 30
In q climate like that OF the dominion
where the corn crop is more than an
uncertain one. 1t is well known that
cattle are fed literally. on various
root products In England and es-
peeially in Scotland, and these root
products can be produced in the great
est abundance upon the new and
heavy soil of the Northwest. The
practice of dairy farmers must be de-
cided by the relative amounts OF
nutrition furnished by the different
diets as shown by all analysis .of the
milk product. The tests made cover
period of Ave years, though particu-
lar attention was given and unusual
thoroughness secured In the expert
ments OF the last winter. In each
case hay, OF course, was fed. The
grain used in combination with hay
food was oats, peas and barley,
ground and mixed dry with the hay.
The roots Experimental with were
mangels, Swede turnips and white
Belgian carrots, cut and mixed with
the hay. The cattle selected were
ordinary Shorthorn grades, and were
MIXED twice EACH day. The results
are striking. The yield per day of
milk under the root ration averaged
29.0 pounds, aud underline grain ra-
ton 221s pounds. 1.-The daily cost
was 1919 cents for the root ration and
81 cents under the grain ration or 91155
mills for the one and 1879 mills for
the other per pound OF milk produced
or GA cents and Ii cents per gallon re-
spectiyely- = asaa-rsaass.aas- s-.r-r--r-.
The college bullctin referred to gives
brief practical deductions from these
ascertained facts. The most impor-
tant Of these conclusions Is that root
food produced ABOUT the same amount
Of milk a. grain food, without spoil
ing the milk, without reducing ami
NAL weight, at 30per cent less cost,
and even though the rootfration was
scientifically 81 per cent lower in
nutritive value. tits believed that
the large amount of water contained
in root foods as compared with grain,
by making them more nearly resem-
bic in constituents the grasses which
are the natural food of cattle, exer-
else an important influence upon the
production OF milk. The final sum-
mary is too interesting to be abridged /:
!. Take two such cows as we have had
In this test over winter of 1870 days,
one upon each of these rations, and
all other conditions being alike, we
obtain the following comparisons
! Roots-Milk, lbs, 3,762; value of
milk, t47; cost of food, ss5; manure
value, $7i net gain, SO. Grain-mllk
lbs, 1910; value Of milk, $50; cost of
i food, $50; manure value, SIG; net gain
$40, e.
1 Accordingly the dairy world has
| yet to be taught that the extensive
nse OF grain Is not correct economical
!, ly; that large quantity of a mixture
of roots with hay fodder is both eco
nomical and safe for milch COWS; and
that possibly there is better health
with roots. though slightly inferior
EQUALITY Of milk-remembering at the
same time that I'VE have to wait
further tests, as this is only our first
systematically conducted one.
| The value and utility of root foods
for cattle is scarcely yet appreciated
In the Northwest. Following the ex-
ample Of the old Eastern fashion of
farming and stock raising, our farm
srs have put their dependence largely
upon hay and grain. It begins to
seem clear that this is an economic
waste. Experiments made in the
American Northwest point in the
same direction as those here cited.
Mr.. J. J. Hill has for years expert
mented in this field, finding that,
while the root product Of o given area
Of ground is immensely In excess of
the grain product, the food value to
his blooded stock Is satisfactory. Car
rots and turnips ofevery variety grow
magnihcentiy in Minnesota, and are
kept through the winter months In
root cellars at the minimum OF ex.
pense and labor. 1t hardly admits of
doubt that, with the constantly ex-
panding dairy interests Of Minnesota
and Dakota, there will be a very
general substitution OF root foods fnr
grain.-Pioneer Press.
W. DO ALLEGE