Feeding Farm Animals 205 



fed green in a corral, a very large amount of good feed can be se- 

 cured. Sufficient experiments have not yet been made witli rape to 

 fully demonstrate its value. Even if it grew well, it would be inferior 

 in nutritive value to vetches and rye. 



Balanced Rations. 



IVhat is a hahuiccd ration for milk cozi'S and brood soivs? 



When plenty of alfalfa is available many dairymen feed that alone. 

 It is better to feed a little corn, grain hay, beet pulp or the beets 

 themselves to balance up the ration. Some of the best concentrates 

 to feed to offset alfalfa hay are ground barley and dried beet pulp. 

 The same thing can be said about the sows. They will consume about 

 10 pounds of chopped alfalfa per day and all the skim-milk that is 

 likely to be given them. Not more than eight pounds of concentrates 

 need be fed, of which one-fifth may be bran, the same amount, or more, 

 of cocoanut oil cake, and the rest corn or barley. With plenty of 

 skim-milk and alfalfa, but little grain or other concentrates will be 

 needed. A few beets will also go well with alfalfa. 



Pasture and Cover Crop. 



/ am thinking of sowing burr clover ivith rye to be plozved under 

 in the spring. Is it good policy to sow rye with clover^ 



Burr clover and rye would be very satisfactory for sowing, after 

 the rains, to secure a winter growth for plowing under in March or 

 April, or earlier if the growth should be large enough to warrant. 

 Such a cover crop can be pastured lightly to advantage. 



Cutting Corn for Silage. 



What is the best time to cut corn for the silo? What length is it 

 cut? Is water put on it zvhcn it is put in the silo? 



The best time to cut corn for the silo is just as the kernels are 

 beginning to glaze. It is cut with a proper ensilage cutter into half 

 or three-quarter inch lengths. No water is used, unless the corn 

 should be unusually dry, with shriveled leaves; in that case, the use 

 of water to compensate for the loss of moisture in the stalks and leaves 

 is desirable. 



Fall and Winter Pasturage. 



What do you advise for planting in the fall for winter pasture in 

 the Sacramento valley? Are Held peas suitable? 



The common California field pea, called Niles pea, the Canadian 

 pea, the common vetch (which is sometimes called the Oregon 

 vetch because the seed is largely grown in that State) are all suit- 

 able for fall planting and winter growth because they are not in- 

 jured by ordinary valley frosts. Aside from legumes, you can get 

 winter feed from fall-sown rye, Essex rape or kale. 



