108 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



wise well-conducted herds, is for all animals to be fed the same 

 amount of grain, regardless of the time they have been in milk 

 or the quantity of milk individual cows are producing. Such 

 feeding always lacks economy, as the high-producing cow does 

 not get enough, and, while she may milk very well for a short 

 time, she soon comes down to a lower level, while the lighter 

 producing cow usually gets too much and accumulates fat. 



One of the difficult problems which confronts the practical 

 feeder is how to adjust the quantity of feed to meet these 

 individual requirements. It can be done fairly well even in the 

 large herds by observing how much milk the cow is producing, 

 and whether she is gaining or losing in body weight. 



Balanced Rations. 



In the corn belt next to underfeeding the most common 

 mistake in feeding is giving rations deficient in protein. This 

 comes about from the abundance and relative cheapness of 

 corn, corn silage or corn fodder, and the large amount of 

 timothy hay grown. I assume that in New England, where it 

 is the custom to purchase considerable feed, this error is not so 

 common or serious as with the farmers in the corn belt. 



Closely connected with this question is the one of growing 

 legumes on the farm. We are constantly urging the Missouri 

 farmers to grow more alfalfa, cowpea and clover hay. I hope 

 New England dairy farmers already appreciate the importance 

 of this subject and need no urging along this line. In my 

 judgment successful and economical feeding of dairy cows must 

 be based largely upon legume hay and corn silage. With plenty 

 of home-grown alfalfa or clover hay on hand, it is an easy 

 matter to plan a good ration for our cows and at the minimum 

 expense for grain. 



Succulent Feed. 

 In order that cows may do their best it is necessary that 

 succulent feed in some form be provided. In some of the 

 northern sections of our country, and especially in Europe, this 

 desirable part of the ration is supplied in a very satisfactory 

 state in the form of root crops. In the greater part of our 

 country corn silage has taken the place of roots in the ration. 



