FEEDING ANIMALS 111 



in the concentrates by feeding more bran or oil meal. The former 

 feed would be likely to prove the cheaper source of protein of the two. 

 The best combination of feeds to be given in each case depends 

 largely on the relative market price of these. F. W. W. 



Pumpkin Seeds and Cows. 



What effect have pumpkin seeds, fed with the pumpkins to milk cows? 



No ill effects. We have fed them to cows ever since we were a 

 kid. Give the cow the whole thing after smashing it so she can 

 get hold. 



Growing and Feeding Squashes. 



Give the feeding value of sweet potato squash for hogs. They 

 are of a slate color and grow about 18 to 24 inches long and about 

 the shape of a sweet potato. What is the feeding value of pumpkins? 



There is no notable difference in the feeding value of field 

 squashes and pumpkins. They have all been selected toward the same 

 standards of quality and whatever has a good name has reached 

 similar standing. They have a good record as hog feed, though the 

 pork has been reported off color when too much squash is fed. For 

 the same green weight the squash family would be worth a little less 

 than half as much as alfalfa for growth and a little more than half 

 for fattening. 



Squash and Pumpkins for Cows. 



What about feeding pumpkins to cowsf I am told that they are 

 good for hogs, but will dry up milch cows. 



There is no conclusive evidence that pumpkins have a tendency 

 to dry up cows, although some farmers believe that such is the case. 

 The fact that many leading dairymen are feeding pumpkins regularly 

 to their cows so long as they last, shows however, that at least some 

 farmers think well of them, and also suggests that the difference of 

 opinion as to their value is very likely due to the way in 

 which they have been fed. If cows do not get much other 

 feed, or if fed only a poor quality of roughage with the pump- 

 kins, they will be likely to go down in milk yield more rapidly 

 than they should. On the other hand, fed with good hay and some 

 grain the results will be most satisfactory. Pumpkins are low in 

 nutritive properties, containing only about ten pounds of dry sub- 

 stance per 100 pounds, and they cannot, therefore, be depended on to 

 supply any large proportion of the nutrients required. It is always 

 advisable to feed some grain to cows producing medium or large flow 

 of milk, except when they have abundant pasture. With such pasture 

 it is rather unnecessary to feed pumpkins, and they are of advantage 

 more as an appetizer in that case than for the amount of nutrients 

 which they supply. When fed as sole succulent feed to dairy cows, it 

 is advisable to add rolled barley, or some grain mixture like barley, 

 dried beet pulp and cocoanut meal, equal parts by weight, at the rate 



