160 FARM ANIMALS 



in the relative economy of milk production has 

 almost universally taken place. It is obvious, 

 therefore, that in order to obtain the greatest 

 results from dairy cows this matter should receive 

 due attention. Of course, the cheapest way to 

 obtain protein is from home grown leguminous 

 forage plants. Where this is not possible, it is 

 necessary to purchase nitrogenous grains such 

 as cotton seed meal, bran, linseed meal, etc. 



Succulent Material. Among the various foods, 

 which may be used to add succulence to the 

 ration we may mention apples, and other fruit, 

 artichokes, sugar beet and other beets, cabbage, 

 carrots, mangels, potatoes, pumpkins, turnips, 

 silage, soiling crops and pasture. In general, 

 these may be grouped into roots and fruits, soiling 

 crops and pasture. 



Apples and other fruits are sometimes fed in 

 considerable quantities to dairy cows when the 

 fruit is unusually cheap or injured by bruises. 

 Windfalls are used quite extensively for this 

 purpose. In Vermont, apple pomace has been 

 studied very carefully as a feed for dairy cows 

 and has been found to produce more milk and 

 butter than immature corn silage. The butter 

 was not injuriously affected in any way when 

 apple pomace was fed in rations of thirty-three 

 pounds per day. Likewise with pumpkins, all 

 dairymen understand the digestive value of that 

 feed. In fact, on many farms pumpkins are 

 raised for little else than for feeding dairy cows 

 or pigs. They may be fed in rations as high as 

 forty or more pounds per day, but naturally should 

 not be depended upon for affording much nutri- 

 ment. In some tests where pumpkins were added 

 to the ration it has been found that six per cent. 



