204 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



SUCCULENT FEEDS. 



The third summer condition, which we desire to continue 

 throughout the winter, is that of a supply of succulent feed. By the 

 term succulent feed is meant feed having that property possessed 

 by green grass. Such feed has a value outside of the actual nutri- 

 ents it contains on account of its favorable effect upon the diges- 

 tion of the animal. There are two methods in use for supplying 

 this succulent feed during the winter season. One is the use of 

 root crops and the other the use of silage. In some part of the 

 world the use of root crops is almost universal, and is the solution 

 of the problem. In this State the use of silage is far more prac- 

 tical, however, than the use of root crops, and for that reason it 

 is recommended exclusively for this purpose. 



The Silo — There is no way by which the corn crop can be used 

 to better advantage than by putting it in the silo. Probably more 

 feeding value can be secured from an acre of corn utilized in this 

 way than from an equal amount used for any other purpose. Sil- 

 age is always relished, and furnishes a part of the roughness in a 

 cheap and palatable form. The number of silos in use is constantly 

 increasing, especially in the dairy sections. Silage is also growing 

 in favor as a summer feed to supplement pastures. In feeding 

 silage it must not be expected that it will serve as the only rough- 

 ness. Hay should be fed in addition and the hay which naturally 

 goes with corn silage is clover, cow pea or alfalfa hay. From 30 to 

 45 pounds per day is counted a reasonable feed of corn silage. It 

 can be fed successfully, not only to cows producing milk, but to 

 young stock and, in fact, almost all farm animals. 



Timothy Hay — This hay is usually over-estimated in value as 

 a feed for producing milk. For this purpose, it runs very low in 

 proportion to its selling price. Another objection is that the yield 

 per acre is small. When timothy hay is on hand it will pay to ex- 

 change it for clover, even at considerable expense for labor, or sell 

 it and buy bran, or cottonseed meal. Timothy hay can be largely 

 or entirely replaced with corn fodder, which serves about the same 

 purpose, at a far less cost. If timothy hay forms all, or a large 

 part of the roughness fed, it is impossible to make a balanced ra- 

 tion without using considerable quantities of some of the feeds 

 rich in protein, such as bran, cottonseed meal or linseed meal. In 

 case timothy or mixed hay and corn fodder is all the roughness 

 available, it will pay by all means to purchase some one of these 

 suggested to help balance the ration. For this purpose cottonseed 



