100 How THE FARM PAYS, 



valuable than Timothy, as the grass is too harsh for the animals, and 

 I think that well cured fodder corn, with the mixtures heretofore 

 mentioned, is equally as good, pound for pound, as Orchard Grass, or 

 "peas and oats," or any other of the best hays. 



Q. Why, then, if it is equally valuable, do you grow the hay grasses 

 at all, as their weight is less than half, per acre, that of the fodder corn? 



A. It would not be practicable to grow fodder corn exclusively 

 upon the majority of farms. Growing the grasses is a necessity for 

 the rotation of crops, and when once seeded down they will last for 

 several years without any further cost, except that of a top dressing, 

 which cost, of course, enters into the question, every time, when com 

 or other crops are grown, specially for fodder. 



FEEDING SOILING CROPS. 



Q. In feeding the green crops, Mr. Crozier, that you use for soiling, 

 in what condition are they fed to the stock are they fed fresh and 

 green, as they are cut ? 



A. They are cut in the morning for feeding in the afternoon or 

 next morning. I think it is better to let them wilt they are not so 

 apt to act unfavorably upon the bowels; and I find that cattle will eat 

 their food with better appetite, and give more milk, when it is wilted, 

 than when it is given fresh cut. When the fodder is cut, it is simply 

 left on the ground until it is brought in for feeding. 



Q. Would there be any danger of injury if too much of it were fed 

 green to the stock ? 



A. It is very apt to bloat, or blow, as it is called, particularly if 

 cut when wet. When too large a quantity is taken into the stomach, 

 gases are evolved which cause death, if the animal is not relieved. 

 It is always better, as a means of precaution, to mix with the green 

 feed ten per cent, of cut hay or straw. 



Q. Do you continue to use this mixture of cut hay or straw with 

 such crops as you use for soiling throughout the entire season ? 



A. No; only until we get the bowels regulated, being careful not 

 to make the change too quick from the mixture to the green feed. 



Q. Then, when you are regularly under way with the soiling fodder, 

 do you use that exclusively ? 



A. Yes; but we give in addition bran, and sometimes meal, 

 according to the condition of the cattle. If they are in full milk we 

 give both bran and meal, from seven to ten pounds per day to each, 

 according to size of the cow. This is always mixed with some of 

 the fodder cut. If they are coming into calving, we do not give any- 



