- x DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



but there is danger of a diseased cow spreading infection by slobbering in the water. 

 Individual drinking-cups are now much used, attached to each stall. An increased 

 milk yield with less labour in watering is an advantage of this system. 



SALT REQUIREMENTS. 



When salt is withheld for some time from a milking cow she may become ill 

 and emaciated, and may finally break down completely. From 1 to 3 oz. of salt per 

 day is needed and the cow should have access to it at all times. The best plan is 

 to place a lump of rock salt where the cow can always reach it and help herself to 

 all she requires. Xear the sea it is not so necessary to feed salt. 



SOILING CROPS AND SUMMER SILAGE. 



Soiling means growing green forage, cutting it and bringing it to the stock, 

 instead of having them eat it off where it grows. This system is practised in its 

 entirety in many parts of Europe where intensive farming is in vogue. 



In this Province there are several dairymen who do not allow their cows to run 

 on pasture at all. but practise soiling entirely. All the best dairy-farmers go in for 

 partial soiling. That is, they allow their cows pasture, but grow green crops as well, 

 to cut and feed to the stock when pasture begins to fail. Some use silage in the 

 summer instead of green feed, and thus save labour. 



ADVANTAGES or SOILING. 



(1.) Saving of land: 



(2.) Saving of fencing : 



(3.) Better use of manure: 



(4.) Animals are kept in better condition. 



The first and greatest advantage comes from the larger amount of feed that it 

 is possible to get from a given area. In soiling, the crops are not cut until almost 

 mature, while under the pasturing system the growth is checked. The plants have 

 not a chance to gather nourishment and size: besides this, much pasture is spoiled 

 by manure and trampling. The manure can be saved and used to better advantage 

 under the soiling system. It has been fully proven that dairy cows give more milk 

 when properly soiled than when on good pasture. 



A small holder in the Kootenay District grows roughage enough on five acres 

 for four cows for the year. Owing chiefly to the large quantity of manure available, 

 this small farm has been built up from " an absolute wilderness of thistles " to pro- 

 ducing " about double per acre any other in this valley." All the land produces two 

 crops in the year, and some three crops. On this farm a small silo has recently been 

 erected. Oats and peas were used to fill it the first year, and produced enormously. 



Eckles says that, " taking all data into account, it seems conservative to say that 

 when following the soiling system one acre will produce at least twice as much, and 

 often three times as much, food as an acre of pasture." 



OBJECTIONS TO THE SOILING SYSTEM. 



The main objection which prevents wide adoption of the system is the extra 

 labour involved. Another is the difficulty in providing the right amount of a suit- 

 able series of crops. Green crops are heavy to handle, and each cow will require 

 about 100 Ib. per day. The crops must be fed fresh. Some cut and haul every day. 

 others every alternate day. It is better to have a surplus than to run short. The 

 surplus can be either made into hay, put into the silo, or ploughed under for green 

 manure. 



SUCCESSION OF SOILING CBOPS AND ACREAGE REQUIRED FOR TEN Cows. 



Winter rye % acre. 



Winter wheat and vetch 1 . 



Alfalfa (three cuttings . 2 



