42 



agriculture; of maine;. 



the infallible rule. We are feeding, not for present results 

 alone, but for the development of the calf that some day is to 

 take the place of the dam. The saying that a calf well born is 

 half raised is eminently true, and no calf can be well born from ' 

 a mother that is underfed while she is carrying it. The danger 

 of this is greater among the dairy breeds because of their 

 inherent quality of throwing off the surplus food in milk. 

 Those foods rich in bone and muscle building elements should 

 form the larger part of the ration at this time, and succulent 

 foods should never be lacking. The tendency now is toward 

 a longer period of rest at the close of each milking season, thus 

 giving the cow a better opportunity to build up her energies and 

 more fully nourish the calf. 



That the food should be reasonably balanced we are all well 

 aware, but scientific research now appears to warrant the asser- 

 tion that it is probable that by widening the ration and using a 

 larger proportion of home grown starch foods, and thus encour- 

 aging the growth of the clovers and protein coarse fodders, we 

 may add materially to the stock carrying capacity of the farm, 

 lessen the initial cost of our food and promote the health of our 

 animals. That succulence and palatability form a large share 

 of the value of our coarse foods we have only to point to pas- 

 ture grasses, silage and roots to prove. Clover hay does not 

 differ materially in the proportions of its constituents from 

 pasture grass, but the animal soon tires of it, if fed alone, and 

 will not eat enough for best results, while com silage or corn 

 green from the field, with their wide nutritive ratio, are eaten 

 in maximum quantities, and with great relish, for long periods, 

 with good effects upon the animal and good results at the pail. 



The dairyman should not study the proper balancing of his 

 rations less, but should study to increase the quantity and 

 improve the quality of his home grown foods more. The true 

 province of the farm is the production of food, and any system 

 of farming that does not take this into account will not stand 

 the test of time. Our dairy farms should have less old fields. 

 Every acre should be brought up to a full production. Through 

 a judicious system of rotation this will be accomplished, and our 

 cows will be fed better and at less expense. Corn should form 

 the basis of the rotation, whenever possible. It is a large pro- 



