ESSEX SOCIETY. 71 



other substances besides peat, which are vakiable in the com- 

 post heap. Let every man improve the means he has, and 

 there will be less occasion for dissatisfaction with our soil and 

 climate, and less disposition for emigration. 



DANIEL P. KING, Chairman. 



Comparative Value of Crops, as Food for Cattle. 



The committee last year (of which I was a member,) ex- 

 pressed some doubts as to the value of green corn stalks, as food 

 for milch cows. This has led to careful observation, and some 

 experiments on the subject. 



In consequence of the dry weather, and increasing the num- 

 ber of my cows, the feed in my pasture was unusually short. 

 About the middle of August, I commenced feeding with Eng- 

 lish hay, m addition to the feed of the pasture. I weighed the 

 milk of four cows for three successive weeks. The first week 

 they were all fed on hay. The second week, two were fed on 

 hay, the other two, on green corn stalks. The third week, 

 those that had previously been fed on hay, were fed on corn 

 stalks, and those that had been fed on corn stalks, were fed on 

 hay. The hay used, was cut early, and of superior quality. Some 

 of the cows were more fond of hay than stalks, and others 

 were more fond of stalks than hay. Having carefully observed 

 the manner of their eating, (as I did not weigh their food,) and 

 the weight of their milk, I came to the conclusion that they 

 would produce about the same quantity of milk. 



Now, if it is a fact, that hay and green corn stalks produce 

 about the same quantity of milk, the question naturally arises, 

 OR which can they be kept the cheapest ? If farmers commence 

 feeding on their English hay, immediately after it is cut, and 

 feed on it mostly through the fall, it would make a heavy draft 

 on their hay, and I think in many cases, it would be exhausted, 

 before pasturing time the next season. Corn can be easily cul- 

 tivated, and will produce abundantly, and I think, may be fed 

 on, cheaper than hay. Green second crop is very good to pro- 

 duce milk ; but this, it will not do to rely upon, for it can be 



