246 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



same amount of digestible dry matter, but in one the nutrients 

 were composed chiefly of concentrates; in the other, of silage. 

 The silage consisted of one ton of soy beans and cowpeas 

 mixed, to two and one-half tons of silage corn. The cows, 

 similar in breeds and general condition, were divided into 

 two lots of five each and were fed the different rations. The 

 results showed the cost of milk per hundred pounds to be 

 $.687 with the silage ration, and $1.055 with the grain ration. 

 The cost of feed, per pound of butter fat, was 13.1 cents with 

 the silage ration and 22.1 cents with the grain ration. Other 

 experiments as well as the experience of dairymen seem to 

 bear out the results of this experiment and point to the value 

 of silage as a feed for dairy cows. 



Silage has also been found to be excellent feed for beef 

 cattle. It would seem well worth while for the general farmer, 

 who feeds beef cattle and who also keeps a few dairy cows, to 

 make use of the silo for providing the greater part of the 

 roughage for his feeding. 



Management. It has been suggested that since cows 

 reach their maximum production of milk in early summer, the 

 conditions influencing this production should be reproduced 

 as far as possible throughout the year. These conditions are 

 chiefly an abundance of palatable and succulent feeds, mod- 

 erate temperature, and comfortable surroundings. The first 

 of these will be met by following the plan for winter feed- 

 ing presented in a previous paragraph. The heat from the 

 bodies of the animals, in well enclosed barns, will keep the 

 temperature from becoming too low even in very cold 

 weather, but it is also important to have the barn well 

 ventilated. Good clean bedding and attention to cleanli- 

 ness will do much to add to the comfort of the cows. Fresh 

 water should be supplied in abundance. 



