16 THE CREAMERY PATRON'S HANDBOOK. 



and constitutes an excellent adjunct to the ordinary grain ration. One of 

 the chief advantages of the soy bean in addition to its drouth resisting 

 qualities is that it constitutes a feed very rich in protein. On this account 

 it is well adapted to combining with sorghum and our ordinary farm feeds. 

 Protein can be produced much more economically by growing soy beans 

 than by buying oil meal, bran or cottonseed meal at prevailing prices. Soy 

 beans constitutes an excellent feed for the dairy co.w or for young and grow- 

 ing stock of all kinds. It is also a good fattening ration. On account of 

 its high percentage of protein, it is likely to become quite extensively grown 

 in the corn belt states, to furnish nutrients required to balance the corn 

 crop. 



In considering forage crops either for green or dry feeding, sweet corn 

 should have a prominent place. It constitutes one of our best yielding 

 and most nutritious feeds for midsummer and early autumn. Sweet corn 

 fodder does not keep as well as field corn, but it furnishes an excellent 

 substitute for failing pastures after the middle of August until the close 

 of the season. The larger growing varieties, such as Stowell's Evergreen 

 are preferable on account of the abundant feed produced. 



A combination of green sorghum, soy beans and sweet corn furnishes 

 an ideal soiling crop ration. Add to this from two to four pounds of bran 

 or meal per head daily and the milk yield may be well maintained 

 during a period when it ordinarily falls off very heavily. Among the gen- 

 eral forage crops of the farm, rape is entitled to take rank as one of the best. 

 Its utility, however, is principally as a feed for sheep and hogs. Cattle do 

 not take to it readily and if dairy cows were forced to use too much of it, 

 it would unfavorably affect the quality of the dairy products. 



In order to get the best results from any system of feeding or grazing, 

 it is necessary to give attention to the comfort as well as the feeding of the 

 cow. Protection from flies and the intense heat is of the utmost importance. 

 During the severest heat period, the cows should graze only at night and 

 be kept in a cool, darkened stable during the da^ This plan has been prac- 

 ticed for a number of years with the college dairy herd and there is a marked 

 difference between the regularity of the milk yield of the college herd and 

 the herds of the patrons of the college creamery. At the approach of cool 

 weather, about the middle of September, the herd may be again turned 

 out during the day and should be stabled at night as soon as frosty nights 

 appear. Next to scant supply of feed, nothing contracts the milk of the 

 dairy herd like cold. The cows should be housed in dry, comfortable, 

 well bedded quarters in all raw and chilly weather as well as in severe 

 winter. 



