1846.] Stall feeding Cows. 131 



STALL FEEDING COWS. 



We have recently noticed articles from English agricultural 

 publications, which would go to prove the diminished quantity 

 and quality of milk produced from stall-fed cows. The results 

 are so largely at variance from anything which has fallen within 

 our own observation, that we must be allowed to withhold our 

 faith either in their accuracy or fairness. The conclusions reached 

 are, that cows, which had been allowed to glean their own forage 

 from a lean pasture, when put up in a yard w^here they were well 

 supplied with fresh cut grass, gave but about two-thirds their 

 former quantity of milk, which was of a quality so much inferior, 

 as to yield but half the former aggregate quantity of butter. 

 Such a result we do not question, but if so, the whole premises 

 which gave such a conclusion have not been stated. 



That there is a wide difference in the comparative value of the 

 different kinds of grasses does not admit of a doubt, even amono- 

 those of the same species. Some contain much more nutriment 

 than others, which have grown under other circumstances of qual- 

 ity of soil, difference in moisture, &c. Nothing is better settled 

 than that a crop of hay in some seasons is worth from 10 to 25 

 per cent more for use, pound for pound, than in others; owing 

 to excess of moisture, imperfect elaboration of the juices, and 

 other circumstances. To such a difference between the cut herb- 

 age, and such as was cropped by the animals in the pastures, al- 

 lowing it was of the same species, must be added, the probable 

 difference of the kinds of grass. On old pastures, there are usu- 

 ally a large number of valuable minor grasses, which gradually 

 intermix with the original ones sown, and which add much to 

 their value as food for stock. In addition to this, a highly bene- 

 ficial effect on the health and thrift of animals is produced, by 

 their being enabled to procure a sufficient variety of food. This 

 effect is more conspicuous perhaps in the sheep than in any other 

 quadruped. For them a frequent change of pasture is essential 

 to thrift, unless an extended range at all times enables them to 

 glean what is best suited to their tastes and the various demands 

 of the animal economy. Some plants are more highly charged 

 with fatty matters; others with resinous ; some saline; others with 

 aromatic bitter, and astringent principles. This variety, which if 

 the animal be allowed to select from its own, and generally un- 

 erring instincts, not only yield their due proportion of nutriment, 

 but when properly associated with others, and taken into the 

 stomach at the proper time, their benefit is largely augmented. 



