Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-03-17
Clover as a Substitute.


value OF cut clover as a substitute
for green feeds for the layers. So
many of the vegetables are difficult To
Keep in good condition throughout
the winter that dry clover. easily kent
and comparatively cheap. seems to of.
fer just what is needed, if only it is a
reasonable substitute. 1t is often
stated that the hens viii do we'll on
clover as the only vegetable food.
When no other is to be had. If il
could be cut at home there is probably
no other feed so cheap and at the
same time so nutritious and so well
calculated to produce eggs, SAYS a
writer in the New York Tribune Farm
err. Still, it seems to me that no one
who has even a fair idea of the needs
of the animal system, whether of man,
OF his cattle or of his poultry. could
fer an instant believe that a dry food
like clover could be as wholesome as
the more juicy vegetables, to use as
the exclusive vegetable food. That
is, If the continued health of the stock
IS to be considered. And it is only
necessary to notice the zest with which
the fowls consume anything in the
line of juicy vegetable food that they
have learned how to handle to be
convinced CT it's exceeding value.
Glover, as rule, they do not eat with
avidity. except certain selected por-
tons containing, probably, seeds or the
more tender leaves.
But as there is no doubt that clover
is both good and cheap egg food,
and none that green vegetables are a
good "health food for the birds, it
seems to be good sense to use them
together, whenever this is at all pos
siEle. And as the farm is the
place of all places where these Should
be had most cheaply, except for a
little extra trouble. the farm is the
place where | urge their free use.
When we consider the fact that many
town poultrymen buy cabbage by the
barrel and clover at $40 or $50 ton
TO feed layers. and feel no doubt that it
pays. it is surely time tc study into
this matter pretty closely. The mail
recently brought ME the price list Of
a prominent firm dealing in poultry
supplies, Offering as "the standard
green food for winter egg production
three styles of clover product all
claiming to be produced from this
years growth, second crop. The three
grades are known as shredded"
"mealed" and short cut" clover, the
difference Icing virtually only mat
ter of fineness.
Considering both bulk and nutri-
ton. as we must always in stock feed
ing, we find in the amount of woody
fiber in the Qc1overs Ia warning against
overriding the matter Of feeding them
10 hens, and an argument for their
use in connection with green vege-
tables 1t is possible to feed so
largely of green vegetables that the
fowls have not capacity for
enough richer food to manufacture a
good output of eggs. Besides, to
feed these in excess may have too
much of laxative effect. Feeding
the two together each supplements the
other The cloyers average very close
ITO one-fourth woody fiber las fed, or
about per cent. more if water free.
When green, they average quite close
TO per cent. fiber.
So much has been said about mixing
poultry feeds so that the whole amount
fed shall average about one part of
the muscle makers, or egg makers, to
every four parts eff 1.-THE fat fonmerstthat
| need not do more than to refer to it.
But 1T is not yet admitted ON all sides
that this is the best proportion, some
contending for less protein in pro
portion to the fat formers. | have
recently been studying a comparative
table. giving the constituents of near
~ so different feeds for stock, com
prising grains. mill feeds, waste pro
ducts, vegetables and folders Among
them all the nearest to this supposed
feeding standard of one part protein to
four parts Of the fat formers was al
Dnsfa nav. The next nearest was rye
and following this, mangolds,
and wheat products Yet,
gb beth are so near the standard,
interesting 10 note lndL Inc
al feeding difference between
colds and hays is very wide, be-
e mancclts are so largely water
the others SC largely fiber. One
hardly help the conclusion, not
= alone. that they would work
\pgether. especially in cases
here was very little variety
As a matter CT fact man.
Alnd TO be excellent feed
ems in winter. Flocks
Iglect them, and owners
ms will not eat them,
rer yet seen the flock
keat them eagerly when
18th them and having
|endle them.
bays are rich in pro-
out the waste pro
two common mill
ranks highest of all
ifs mentioned above,
Ihite clover and COW
len are in the same
rapoa1y fshoU from,