92 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



flesh, has not acquired that skill in feeding that might be 

 his for a reasonable effort. In a word, learn all the rules 

 of feeding you may, but always test them out on the cow. 

 If the evidence given by the cow contradicts the rule, be- 

 lieve the cow, every time. The skilled eye and hand of the 

 successful breeder and feeder is the thing to be sought, with 

 sufficient knowledge of the nutrients as an aid in the selec- 

 tion of feeds. One point on which all skillful feeders will 

 agree is that the value in feeding of a good quality of coarse 

 forage cannot be overestimated. Grain cannot take the place 

 of early cut, well cured alfalfa, clover, or rowen hay, and 

 the quality and curing of silage is of almost as much im- 

 portance; while roots, especially beets, tone up the digestive 

 organs to do their most effective work. 



My experience is that the narrow ration is the more ef- 

 ficient, but an easily digested carbohydrate is added fre- 

 quently, and if good results are obtained it is retained for a 

 few weeks and then withdrawn and the consequences watched. 

 During extreme cold weather a quart of hominy or cornmeal 

 can be added to advantage and then dropped when the 

 weather moderates. The hair and hide of the cow are the 

 first index of overfeeding. The skillful feeder notes his cow 

 and prevents a breakdown. Henry, on " Feeds and Feed- 

 ing," should be the feeder's textbook, and he should read 

 the best dairy papers. 



If our young breeder will care for his registered bull and 

 females, study their needs and retain their increase, adding 

 to them another heifer or two as he is able; will study and 

 reflect on their care, and, as Josh Billings has said, emulate 

 the merits of a postage stamp in sticking to one thing, he will 

 live to bless the day that he began to breed registered dairy 

 cattle. 



Mr. F. A. Judith. I would like to ask if a dairyman can 

 afford to pay $27 a ton for alfalfa when he can buy fair 

 mixed hay for $20. 



Mr. Duffy. Well, that depends on what you call fair 

 mixed hay. Was it cut by the 20th of June ? 



Mr. Judith. Yes. Our hay is cut in good season ; that 



