The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1903-07-17

JtVuSut Out tne ldCt tnhb ilOidSeto
ed In connection with hay, cotton
seed hulls or other dry feedstutfs is
not only palatable to livestock, but
keeps them in fine working condi-
ton, while II is a great economlzer
Of more costly feed. Mr.. Ant. NJ.
Sobrel, who led In the discussion,
said that he began to feed molas-
ses to the mules on his plantation
In 1901. He had feed 1t before
without mixing it with other teod,
but with Indifferent results. Hav
Ing on hand a lot OF inferior hay,
which his stock did not relish, he
conceived the idea OF feeding 1t in
connection with molasses as a
sweetener, The experiment was
perfect success. The mules ate the
sweetened hay with great relish,
and fattened upon it. Mr.. Sobrel
began with a small quantity OF mo-
lasses, and increased 1t gradually.
Eat the outset" he says, al cut the
usual grain allowance in half and
substituted three.quarters OF gal
Ion OF molasses. calculate full
grain feed at five gallons OF corn
and oats mixed; hence the half a.
lowance OF when l speak was
about two and one-hali gallons, or
little less. This ration was con-
tinued until April /, when alfalfa
came in and our corn supply was
exhausted. l reduced the grain
feed then to one gallon OF oats,
mixed with alfalfa and molasses,
feed twice day. When tho crop
had been laid by discontinued the
oats altogether, and fed only on
alfalfa, grass and molasses, which
kept the stock in fine order and
perfect health until the beginning
Of the grinding season. No green
corn was cut on Oak Alley (the
name OF his plantatlon) last year
there was an abundance OF feed
without 1t. Fifty-one mules and
four horses are fed on the the place
and the animals have never been
in better health. Not a dose oil
medicine has been given them in
nearly fifteen months-that Is
since the feeding OF molasses wa:
begun. Our stock has never before
been in such good condition. Dur.
ing the grinding season did MOI
feed at noon-only at night
Didn't even bring the mules IL
from the fields at noon for water
and found that they did not seen
to suffer at all under this treat
ment. | now divide the feed Civ
ing 1t at noon and night. The bill
OF Oak Alley for bought feed IL
1901 reached $4,000. In 1902 the
only bought feed was small car
load OF oats, costing 1853, the par
OF this was sold to tenants on tn,
place. Molasses is a good substi
tute for corn. 1t is better to us,
oats in hot weather than corn. Al
talfa replaces oats, l have found
that mules don't eat any new feeC
with avidity, but will soon get useC
to it. don't think molassei
should be given alone; the bette
way Is to mix it with other feed
About barrel OF molasses is belnl
fed every day at Oak Alley"
Mr.. Sobrel stated that man!
! small farmers bought molasse
from his plantation at five cents
gallon to feed mules with, ant
thought these small farmers wer
formerly prejudlced against its use
Its value as an article OF stock fee,
and its great economy over the US
of corn have overcome their pre-
/ judices. Mr.. Sobrel says he begul
to feed a quarter OF a gallon OF mo
: lasses a day, which he continue,
for a week or two; then he increas
ed the quantity to half a gallon, an,
increments wero made at interval
until five quarts a day were fec
which was the maximum quantit
used.
Mr.. Tucker at the same meetin
gave his experience with the use 9
cottonseed huils mixed with me
Q lasses as feed for mich cows
8 When fed alone the cottonsee
+. hulls were scarcely touched b
them, but when mixed with molai
SEES they were eaten ravenously
The hulls cost 81 ton. Mr.. NJ
Q Call regarded the solution OF tn
economical feeding OF stock as j.
ing at the very foundation of tn
successful prosecution OF the suga
interest In Louisiana, and II such
saving In the cost feeding could b
made MS described by Mr. Sobre
the question would be solved. Nj
Sobfel in 1901 spent rs much a
$500 some months for stock feeC
In 1902 the expenditure was les
than $500 for the entire year, an
thu mults were strong, in goo
order and equal to any in the pal
ish. They got too fat in the sum
mer months, and the feed had t
be reduced; in fact they gained s
much flesh that new collars had +
be bought for them. From one
half to three.quarters ofthe outla.
for feed, according to Mr.. Sobrel
may be saved by tho use OF mOlas
ses.