36 



One sample of scorched wheat had an offensive odor, was badly 

 burnt and very unattractive in appearance. The price asked for 

 this material was $25 a ton, which was excessive, considering the 

 quality of the material. 



But one sample each of alfalfa meal and cut clover were 

 analyzed. They were of good appearance, but both samples fell 

 slightly below their guarantees in protein. 



HOME GROWN CATTLE FEEDS. 



By J. B. Lindsey. 



In these days of expensive concentrates, the feeders of farm 

 stock naturally look for ways and means of reducing the grain 

 bill. Attention is called briefly to the production of corn and 

 clover and it is suggested that the farmer is warranted in experi- 

 menting with alfalfa. 



There is no fodder crop that will produce so large a yield 



Corn, of digestible matter as corn, an average crop yielding some 



4000 pounds including 275 pounds of digestible protein. 



Only those varieties should be grown that will mature "their seed, 



such as Leaming, Pride of the North and Longfellow. 



The corn crop rarely fails. In order to secure the best results 

 the seed should be selected with great care ; the land should be 

 well fertilized ;* the crop which may be grown in rotation with 

 clover and potatoes should be planted and cultivated with modern 

 machinery.*'* 



It is believed to be the most economical as a rule for dairy far- 

 mers to ensile the bulk of the crop, using the corn harvester and 

 modern silage cutter, rather than to cut, stack and husk in the old 

 way. Before ensiling, some prefer to break off the well developed 

 ears, and to cure, husk and grind them. One is thus enabled to 

 feed the dairy cow a larger proportion of home grown grain t 

 and also to have a supply for other farm stock. Study to grow 

 maximum corn crops at a minimum expense. Corn is king! ! 



Clover deserves a great deal more attention from dairy far- 

 mers than is ordinarily given it. It is really a biennial or a short 

 lived perennial and is best grown in rotation (corn — clover 

 — potatoes). The seed may be sown August 1 at the rate of 15-20 

 pounds to the acre, or it may be seeded in the corn after the last 

 hoeing. 



* Four cords of manure, 300 lbs. phosphatic slag and 150 lbs. of high grade ''sulfate of potash, 

 broadcast to the acre, form a desirable combination. If the land is quite deficient in fertility, a few 

 hundred lbs. to the acre of manufactured corn fertilizer may be applied in the drill. 



** See Corn as a Grain Crop bv W. P. Brooks, in Massachusetts Crop Report, May, 1903; Corn 

 Harvesting Machinery, Farmers Bulletin 303; Methods and Cost of Preparing Si/age /ram 

 Corn, Farmers Bulletin 291; Corn Growing, Farmers Bulletin 199, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

 Washington, D. C. 



t A bushel of eared silage, the usual daily quantity for an average cow, contains an equivalent of 

 al4 pounds of dry grain. 



