The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-03-06
Value of product
IL

The feed for these cows, as will be shown later,
cost approximately S3l.00 per COW; TINS Wlth SlfOO
for attention makes the annual keep OF each COW
$500.
An examination of the value columns shows that
when the product was sold as milk that all of the
cows yielded profit, and in most instances very
handsome profit. Had the product been sold as
cream one cow NO. A would have found herself
slightly in debt for her keep, and had the product
been made into butter selling at 20 cents per pound
five of the eleven cows would have proven to be
improbable. The cost of keep ranging IN excess
of the returns from s. 80 to $1,000 per annum The
sl25O
These figures illustrate what is going on in every
herd in the country. In SONS to less extent but
in the majority of instances the percentage of I'LL
profitable animals is much greater tian the ABOVE
table would indicate.
In these calculations no account has been taken,
from the fact that it would make the figures too
complicated for present purposes, OF the value
of the manure of the calves from the cows or OF
the skim milk from the cream or butter; but all
these would contribute to the profits OF dairy tarm-
ing, and | believe if properly managed that these
factors be made to give almost as great returns
as the direct products.
stand how dairymen near cities and who sell milk
generally at retail at from to 10 cents per quart
,rarket and depending on any kind of COW they
happen to get for we that it is right poor COW
that does not pay at least small profit, and that
the ordinary COW will pay big for her keep.
FEEDING COWS.
After procuring good cows the next point Is to
feed her properly This ina nut shell means plenty
of good nutritious food and water By nutritious
food mean such as is well adapted to milk pro-
duets and keeping the animals IN a perfectly
healthy condition
After d thorough understanding of the principles
of feeding the question is how to obtain the de-
sired feeds or ones which will make combinations
furnishing the desired qualities economically
Under the present system of farming and by the
practice of pasuring cows 1t requires on the aver
age about four acres per COW with the most ap-
proved system; the dairyman should carry at least
one for each acre or in other words should devote
but single acre to a cow. This may seem to some
only theoretical statement, but have often been
told by dairymen that they were dong much pet-
ter than a COW to the acre. One instance which
came to my attention was visitor from New Jer-
sey at the Experiment Station few days ago who
was keeping 30 cows ON 40 acres, and ms herd by
the way averaged last year 60O0 lbs of milk per
cow. ..-,, go,
the use of a combination of the soi1ng system ana
Lands which are specially farmed for soiling
crops can be made to yield enormously. By a prop
er management of the soiling system 1t Is possible
to have plenty of green succuent food for cows at
least eight months in the year in this latitude.
The crops which would suggest as well adapted
for this purpose in order of time OF use, begin
ming in spring kale rye. crimson clover RED clover
and mixed grasses corn, and then winding up the
season with kae.
The silo is an invaluable accompaniment OF dairy
farming, from the fact that it admits of putting
corn crop in a shape to be used economically by
cattle and will furnish the cows succulent food
III the winter season or even help over severe
drought in summer Silage will actas an appetizer
to cows and keep the digestive system III good con-
dition.
the fact that milk needs to be handled with greater
care than when dry food is used as the odors from
the silage are quickly absorbed by milk and will
cause milk and butter to have disagreeable odor
and sometimes taste. Consequently, would advise
slage being fed in the open air or in separate
building from that in which the milking is done
on no account have the silo opening into the milk
ing stable.
The corn plant is the best adapted for putting in
the so and making silage of and to use this crop
most ad yantageously and economically grow it as
though YOU were growing the crop for the grain
Then cut and put in the silo when the grains are
beginning to glaze.
So far We have considered only the long feed for
the cows but successful feeding means grain
ration in addition. With most farmers the matter
of compounding grain ration which will make up
the deficiency of the fodder ration and make the
whole well balanced and one well adpated for milk
production is a difficult problem This is the
problem which is little understood and consequent
" very generally overlooked.
The following are examples of some grain ratlons
which may be used.
No /. Grain mixture.
Hominy chop 800 lbs.
Wheat bran 800 "
Gluten meal 100 9
Lnseed meal 100 -