358 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



lluw often should cows be fed during the day? 



Mr. Cook. — Well, I am inclined to think that twice a dav for 

 both ground and coarse food is enough. Such a practice has 

 given just as good results with us as has feeding three times, but 

 we must feed uniformly; not twice to-day, three timos to -morrow, 

 and four times the next day. 



Does it pay to grind the corn-cob to feed? 



Dr. Smead. — No; but it will pay to grind the corn and cob 

 together, the cob being ground finely. Best results will come 

 from mixing it with wheat bran, there being a little fibre in the 

 bran, which the animal seems to require. I use an iron sweep 

 power mill, and grind my corn and cob together, doing it finely. 



At what age should a heifer begin to breed? 



Mr. Cook. — I don't know; but if I should tell you that 50 of 

 our best cows now in milk, dropped their first calf at three years, 

 you might consider me as heterodox. Yet such is the case; but 

 the cows are magnificent Holsteins. One will hare to study the 

 animal and breed. If the cow comes from a breed or family that 

 were bred to drop their first calf early, I would allow her to do it. 

 As a rule, however, I prefer to have the young heifer become 

 matured before she becomes a mother. 



Does it pay to feed cows grain this time of year (November 25th)? If 

 so, how much? 



Mr. Henry Stevens. — It would depend somewhat on the condi- 

 tion of the cow, whether she gave a little or a good mess of milk. 

 I think, however, at the present prices of butter and cheese that 

 it will pay. 



Mr. Farrington. — My father always said, " Feed the cows grain 

 in the fall of the year." 



Mr. Cook." — I don't like this idea of talking about feeding a cow, 

 now. We want to feed a little grain all the time. If we do not 

 feed till now, the chances are the cow will put it all on her back. 

 I have known instances where a ton of bran was fed and not a 

 cent of it was gotten back. We feed some grain all the time. 



