158 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



feeding on account of its evergreen nature, retaining its succulence 

 longer than any of the other corns or sorghums and making an ex- 

 cellent fodder when cured. 



Other Crops. Several other crops have been tried but have not 

 proven satisfactory. Barley and millet are unpalatable. Vetches 

 and rye or vetches and oats do not give as large a yield as peas and 

 oats. Giant fodder corn gives a larger yield than flint corn, but the 

 stalks are so large and coarse that it is unsatisfactory as a feed. 



General Information. In the case of a majority of the crops 

 grown it was found that they were most palatable and satisfactory 

 when fed at, or a little before, full bloom. If required much earlier 

 than this they were very watery and not so sweet and palatable to the 

 taste, besides causing the cows to scour seriously when heavily fed. 



Thick seeding is to be recommended with nearly all the crops ; 

 not only is a much greater yield produced, but a finer quality of 

 more edible forage is secured. It is advisable to grow a surplus of 

 soiling crops rather than just a sufficient amount, since all of the 

 varieties of crops recommended, except rape, make excellent fodder 

 when cured and stored for winter feeding. The number of pounds 

 of the various soiling crops that a cow will eat, when given in addi- 

 tion the freedom of a good pasture at night, has not been definitely 

 determined. 



When fed on soiling crops alone, without pasturage, as some 

 cows were in a few instances for a short period, they consumed from 

 seventy-five to one hundred pounds of soiling feeds daily. About 

 one-half this amount, or forty-five pounds on the average, will be 

 found an ample allowance for each cow on full milk when access is 

 had to good pasturage during the night. (Wis. B. 103.) 



The Stabling Season. Up to a certain point fall pasturage is as 

 good as in any other part of the year. But after one or two hard 

 frosts it is well to offer the cows some nice hay when they come in at 

 night, and if they eat it with relish, one may be pretty certain the 

 season has arrived to gradually change the herd from pasture to 

 stable for the winter. The cows should not be left out at night after 

 it becomes chilly, or be exposed to cold autumn storms. They may 

 be allowed in the field a few hours on all pleasant days until snow 

 flies, but without expecting them to get much besides water and ex- 

 ercise. Before keeping them steadily at the stable and yards the 

 feeding should be, by gradual steps, completely changed to the full 

 stable diet. 



Preparation of the Stable. Meanwhile, or on leisure days 

 earlier in the year, the cow house should be prepared for its occu- 

 pancy by the herd throughout the stabling season. Boxes, stalls, and 

 feeding troughs or floors should be thoroughly cleaned and disin- 

 fected, so that no animal can discover or be subjected to any un- 

 pleasant traces of another and previous occupant of the place. Then 

 assign every cow her particular place for the winter, and gently in- 

 sist upon every one being always in the right place. The bedding, 

 absorbents, and disinfectants should be provided in abundance and 

 in ample time for all to be quite dry. Use no damp material under 



