39 



Apples should always be fed in the mangers rather than in the 

 field, so that if choking occurs, the condition may be more readily 

 discovered and relief afforded. 



In some localities apple pomace may be regularly obtained from 

 the cider mill, and this has been found to be valuable feed for 

 milch cows. One of the most successful dairymen in Connecticut 

 uses this feed regularly during the fall mouths. At first it was 

 obtained for the hauling, but others soon perceived its value, and 

 the demand became so strong that the price advanced to $1 per 

 load. 



This feeder considers it nearly equal in feeding value to corn 

 silage. When silo space is available, apple pomace may be stored 

 in the silo, making a valuable winter fodder. During tlie rush 

 season at the mills it can often be obtained in larger amounts than 

 the herd will consume from day to day, and if preserved in the 

 silo, a supply may be provided for many weeks ahead. 



Feeding the Hay. 



When all has been done that can readily be done to supplement 

 a short hay crop by growing substitutes on the farm, something 

 may also be accomplished by exercising good judgment in feeding 

 the hay. Many have the impression that milch stock should be 

 fed all the coarse fodder they will eat. This we believe to be 

 unnecessary, and contrary to the teaching of some of the more 

 recent experimental work done by the experiment stations. The 

 more palatable and the more easily digested the ration of a milch 

 cow- is, the better. To obtain the best results, about one-half of 

 the dry matter of the ration should come from the grain feeds. 

 This means that grain feeds should constitute a large part of the 

 total feed of the cow. If a considerable part of the coarse fodder 

 of the ration comes from the silage, only a small part need be pro- 

 vided in the form of Jiay. The cheaper dry fodders, such as corn 

 stover or oat straw, may be fed in connection with liberal silage 

 and grain feeding, and good results will follow. 



Recent experimental inquiry has shown that the value of a feed 

 depends quite largely on the ease with which it is digested. It 

 was formerly supposed that a pound of digestible dry matter from 

 one source was just as valuable as a pound from another, but this 

 supposition has been overthrown by recent experimenting. The 

 energy or labor required in digesting a certain feed must come 

 from the food eaten. If the food eaten is largely coarse, dry fod- 

 ders, more energy will be required in the work of digestion, and 

 less will be left for building up valuable products, than where tlie 



