Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-05


when the average person handling COWS
concludes that the grain ration may be
materially reduced or cut OF altogether.
Il is true that Tor short periods OF time
and on exceptionally good pastures. the
feeding Of grain may sometimes be dis
pensed with. But this is the exception
rather than the rule. II we may judge
from a quite extended experience In feed
ing and handling dairy cows in several
southern states. That the entire elimina-
ton OF the grain ration is inadvisable
is shown BY the many letters received
stating that the COWS are falling or in
milk flow and making inquiry as to the
reason why. When cows are first turned
out in the spring the crops on which
they are grazed are generally in an i'm
mature condition and contain super
abundance OF water. The animal thus
does not secure enough protein TO supply
the needs OF her body and leave a sur
psus for manufacture into milk Natural
~ II the food does not contain the ele-
ments needed by the animal the flow win
be reduced in proportion.
u viii be found good practice when
the animals are first turned on pasture
70 continue the feeding OF from two to
three pounds OF cotton seed meal per
head per day. and our experience indi-
Gates that this would be wise policy
riod II - true that as the season adj
vances. Bermuda grass. for example, will
probably show a higher per cent of pro-
tein. and this is one OF the most sat-
ssfactory of all grazing grasses which
can be utilized in the south Il has also
been demonstrates that il is unusually
rich in this element. much more so than
was thought for many years. but with
the advancement OF the season the pas
lures often. become shorter and the grass
tougher. hence il is not so readily eaten
and digested as in the early spring, and
on this account a continuance OF the
gran ration viii be found advisable and
profitable.
The grain should be fed in the stable
a milking time and it is best to mix il
with a little cut feed OF any description,
such as corn fodder and hulls or hay.
Cotton seed hulls viii prove especially
satisfactory. Only a small quantity of the
roughness need be fed. but the mixing
OF the meal with the roughness is desir-
able as il insures more complete mastica>
ton and prevents the managers becom>
ing so thickiy coated with the meal and
unsanitary on that account Feeding the
cows AT milking time has the advantage
of holding their attention and keeping
them quiet. and it has been shown that
II animals are contented while the milk
Is being drawn that a larger flow is Sc
cured.
There are some who Will obje6 to the
continued feeding OF cotton seed meal
under the impression that it produces dis
orders OF the digestive system. and that
its elimination in the summer time Is
advisable on that account II is not
likely 10 prove more unsatisfactory in
warm weather than in cool. as has been
demonstrated over and over again by the
ssrr,arfnrr-r Of thousands of Auu
animal Is liable TO get OF feed for a
few days. People do il and cows are
no exception TO the rule which affects
the human being. II symptoms OF in
digestion are observed the meal ration
should be withdrawn for a few days. and
two pounds OF Epson salts given as a
drench- Then possibly a little wheat
bran may be fed for a week in place
OF the meal This will give variety 10
the ration and have a tonic effect on the
system and viii result in the restoration
OF the appetite This IS a very simple
treatment 10 remedy what is sometimes
allowed to cause much annoyance. and
even loss in the herd. bat the cause OF
the trouble is not due 70 cotton seed
meal. but 10 the fact that a very simple
medical treatment and change OF diet
are not temporarily resorted 10. More
over. the amount OF cotton seed meal
ing the warm weather IS not large enough
70 prove IN any way injurious to the an
imaIs consuming IT,
The need OF protein in the ration Of
the dairy COW has been emphasized over
and over again II Is up 10 the COW
owner. no matter where or how situ-
ated. TO provide this essential need. OF
course. Il may be derived from variety
OF sources. but the question which is