63 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE ECONOMICAL FEEDING OF tSTEEKS. (Abstract.) 



BY H. H. HINDS;, OP STANTON. 



Mr, Hinds spoke of the success which had been obtained by Mr. Wat- 

 kins, who was upon the program to give an address upon this subject, in 

 the feeding of steers. Mr. Watkins' methods differ radically from those 

 used by many feeders. The steers are kept in large yards where they have 

 an open shed as a shelter. Their feed consists largely of corn from the 

 shock. A somewhat similar method of feeding is pursued by Mr. Hinds. 

 For the successful growing of steers from birth until ready for market 

 one should have a grass farm. Grass is the basis of success in steer feed- 

 ing, corn being merely a giant grass. 



Alfalfa makes an excellent fodder and the prophecy is made that within 

 the next ten years Michigan will take up this crop as she has the sugar 

 beet. Of the various concentrated feeds nothing is better than cotton- 

 seed meal, but pains should be taken to have it pure and its excessive use 

 should be avoided. The best way to market our crops is on the hoof and 

 I would like to have each steer walk into the car carrying 100 bushels of 

 corn, with two pigs following. 



We have been told that we must have bacteria in the soil in order to 

 secure a catch of alfalfa and have it thrive, but this is not so sure. I have 

 sown clover without anj^ bacteria and secured a fiue catch and a good 

 crop. Whatever the experimenters say, alfalfa is bound to come to the 

 front in Michigan. ; 



H. F. Probert, of Jackson. — Alfalfa on my farm last year produced 

 eight to ten tons of dry hay per acre in three or four cuttings on fields 

 sown two years ago. The soil was a mixture of clay and sand and 

 although naturally fairly rich, it was top-dressed in the fall or winter. 

 In this case the soil was not inoculated with bacteria. The alfalfa is 

 sown at the rate of 15 pounds of seed per acre with oats as a cover crop. 

 Beardless barley also answers well. A nurse crop for alfalfa is desirable 

 as it affords a protection for the plants and keeps down the weeds. The 

 juurse crop should be cut for hay and the alfalfa should be cut as soon 

 as the blooms show a purple color. Alfalfa also makes an excellent 

 pasture if used Judiciously. Twenty acres will pasture 30 or 40 head if 

 only allowed to graze an hour or so each day. The injury from the 

 winter-killing of alfalfa can be greatly reduced or prevented if sown^ 

 early. While excellent results have been secured upon a soil of a clay 

 nature underlaid with gravel, some of the best crops have been secured 

 U])on sandy loams, but whatever t}ie soil, the best results cannot be 

 secured unless the land is rich. 



