THE DAIRY. 



grew, is found to contain no small portion of the constituents required by both growing and 

 mature animals. The laxative tendency, objected to by some, depends upon mechanical 

 action, and is readily modified by combining the finer descriptions of mill refuse with it, in 

 proportions required by the habits of body of different animals in the herd. 



Oil-cake meal, while having a laxative tendency if fed somewhat liberally, nevertheless is 

 one of the best combinations with bran, when skillfully handled, as its mucilage and oil allays 

 irritation of the mucous surface, and the constituents of these two articles, combined with 

 good hay, take, perhaps, a wider range than any other two articles. Oats, of course, are 

 always suitable for either young or aged stock ; but in considering the claims which bran 

 has upon our attention, economy cuts quite a figure. This, together with the fact that it is 

 infinitely safer for breeding animals than corn meal, renders it one of the best aids in the 

 feeding stable; provided, always, that it is seconded by other foods, according to the varying 

 requirements mentioned as these occur from day to day. All farmers who occupy advanced 

 ground all breeders of improved stock are supposed to occupy this position will bear in 

 mind the manure pile. Bran is rich in phosphates, and these are of special value, to lands 

 long in use, for crop-growing and grazing. There is no mistaking the effect upon pastures of 

 manuring from a pile into which bran has entered through liberal feeding.&quot; 



Ensilage has been fairly tested as an article of diet for dairy stock, and found to be 

 excellent for this purpose, as will be seen by reference to the opinions and experiments from 

 various authentic sources on that subject, in another department of this work. 



In order to make the highest success in the dairy, good milkers should be selected for 

 the purpose, the selection being made by the use of all the known tests of good milking 

 stock. It is also quite as essential that the animals be healthy and of strong constitution. 

 Having such animals for a basis of success, good care, including a variety of food in sufficient 

 quantities, is absolutely necessary to obtain the highest results, and such a course will prove 

 the most profitable and economic in the end. Cattle like a change of food as well as the 

 human species, and it is quite as necessary for their health. It is highly important that the 

 dairyman should study the qualities of different kinds of food and use good judgment in 

 combining them. There are only comparatively a very few kinds of food that contain all the 

 requisite elements in the right proportion, and if different foods are to be given, they should 

 be so combined as to contain as far as possible the required elements in the proper proportion, 

 which can be easily done by giving a little attention to the analysis of different articles 

 of food. 



A necessity for a sufficient quantity of food has already been shown, and does not require 

 further notice in this connection. It should however be remembered that a milch cow 

 requires not only enough food to repair the constant drain of the physical system, but also to 

 furnish a sufficient material for the constant drain of milk production. The milk yield, 

 whatever the breed, will be largely influenced by the kind and amount of food given. 



Steaming Food for Cattle. There has been much discussion with regard to the 

 comparative nutritive value of cooked and uncooked food for cattle, some claiming that the 

 increased nutritive value resulting from cooking amply repays for the labor attending it; 

 others holding to the opinion that the benefits derived do not compensate for the labor 

 required. The cooking of food in sufficient quantities for cattle requires considerable labor, 

 but where the farmer possesses the means of doing this readily, it may be accomplished with 

 the expenditure of much less time and labor than would generally be supposed, and we are 

 of the opinion that, under such circumstances, it is time and labor well invested. 



Raspail says that starch is not actually nutritive to man until it has been boiled or 

 cooked; the heat of the stomach not being sufficient to burst all the grains of the feculent 

 mass which is subjected to the rapid action of this organ. The stomachs of graminivorous 

 animals and birds seem to possess, in this respect, a particular power, for they use feculent 



