Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-12-29
FEEOlDG FOR A BIG FLOW OF MILK.
Tho amonnt NJ milk nrOduced frOm

The amount Of milk produced from
our herd for the months Of February,
March and April last was 100, $50 pounds
or over so tons. The herd averaged
during the time from 40 TO 81 mixers.
Twenty Of these cows had been milking
from six to twelve months, the rest hav-
ing produced calves at different times
during the winter All feed Is given
dry. The hay feed is what Is known to
the market as mixed clover. The grain
Is a mixture OF oats and corn In equal
parts, ground, with best quality wheat
bran and middlings mixed in to suit the
conditions of the various animals. Each
animal Is fed according to her condi-
ton and needs. The cow that feels best
snd Is In the most robust health all the
time. II a good one, is the one that will
produce the most profitable milk for her
owner. do not expect to get some
thing from nothing, aud do not expect
to get 4 good flow OF milk without feed,
bnt II il certain that more depends upon
the perfect condition Of the COW than a
great amount Of feed, when the amount
of milk produced Is considered.
Our cows evidently were raised In
ueighborhoods where excellent grade
and native cows are kept and where
good bulls have been used u the exciu-
sion OF scrubs. Appearances indicate
that Hol-tein, Ayrshire and Shorthorn
grades are about the only breeds repre-
sented. Ii Is found that good size, good
form and good mellow skin are d,sir-
able features TO buy. Doubtless there
are MANY herds that can show greater
record, but | think the doings OF this
herd can be considered good, and IL
shows TO degree the advantage OF
wedding out poor animals.
am a firm believer In keeping abreast
of the times iu dsirying. and | feel sorry
for the man who is willing TO continue
in the ruts, but when we consider the
question OF feed for cows | question
sometimes whether We follow common
sense or fads. Ii seems 10 me there can
be but one idea, and IL Is that whatever
suits the COW the best, that which Is the
means OF keeping her in the most robust
condition OF health, and causes her 10
produce the largest quantity of milk,
rich In butter fats the cheapest feed
and the only profitable one, whatever
the cost NAV be. Green forage In sum-
mer. the best OF pasture IL possible, with
good sound grain, "a corn and oats finely
ground, with the best coarse wheat bran
mixed With II in reasonable quantity,
to suit the condition OF the animal, is
found 10 be reliable and satisfactory. In
winter good, sweet, early cut hay, vege-
tables, same mixture OF grain Is reliable
aud ss cheap, all things considered, as
any of the variety OF methods now iol-
lowed In dairy farming. What has
nature provided the cspacious stomach
of the perfect COW for II not for the pur-
pose OF receiving and digesting the
sweet and fragrant hay and grass which
produces the highest and most satisfac-
tory results: One Is disgusted with the
gaunted appearance OF the noble COW
that il compelled To satisfy herself with
A little stingy ration OF ensilsge, with
some nostrum In the shape OF grain, all
for the res son TIA the cost Is the lowest
and reduced 20 the minimum. do not
believe Il ever paid n man TO ride
hobby. and | do not believe II ever
will paw 20 feed ensilsge indiscrlmin-
stely. "a the majority do. But ! do
think this class OF feed has It's place
and can be used 10 great advantage when
farmers become educated up 10 Its most
profitable use.
believe farmers err In feeding too
much grain at one time. Cattle that are
receiving grain, and especially is this
true Of miich cows, would receive very
much more benefit from such feed II the
rations were given 10 smaller quantity
and oftener. This plan is far safer for
the health as we'll. The COW that gets
six quarts of grain a day will get the
most benefit bv giving this at six differ.
ent feeds. This Is extreme, as most OF
Us are not situated SO we can carry out
such u plan, but il serves to illustrate
the idea. have found satisfaction Ia
going slow when considering the sdvis-
sbility of changing any well-trled and
highly satisfactory method Of feeding
for something new.-New England
Homestead.