STOCK FEEDING'. 11 



ever, that even while the cow is ''dry," she still requires 

 nutritious feed to properly nourish the foetus within her. The 

 requirements as to feed at this time call for plenty of succulent 

 roughage, and some grain which is rich in ash and protein, at 

 the same time laxative in character. 



If the cow is feeding on good pasture the grain may be en- 

 tirely withheld a month previous to calving. Indeed, if pasture 

 is luxurious, it is desirable to restrict the time during which she 

 is allowed to graze lest she overfeed and invite milk fever. 

 When no pasture is available, a ration consisting of corn silage, 

 good hay and about four pounds of grain will answer very 

 satisfactorily. A desirable grain ration is made up of linseed 

 meal, wheat bran and ground oats, using these feeds in the 

 proportion of about one pound of linseed meal and one and a 

 half pounds each of bran and oats. This ration not only sup- 

 plies the proper nutrients for the development of the foetus, but 

 owing to its laxativeness, keeps the cow in the best physical 

 condition. 



A few days before and after calving the grain is preferably 

 supplied in the form of a warm mash. Warm water should 

 also be freely supplied at this time. Three to six days after 

 calving the grain should be gradully increased until the maxi- 

 mum amount consistent with economical production, has been 

 supplied. 



If the cow has been properly nurtured previous to calving, 

 she will have stored up a considerable amount of reserve mate- 

 rial which she draws on immediately after calving, thus making 

 a heavy grain ration at this time not only not desirable but 

 entirely unnecessary. 



FEEDING SILAGE. The cheapest and most satisfactory rough- 

 age that can be produced upon most farms, is corn silage. Its 

 succulence and palatability make it an ideal feed for milk pro- 

 duction. This feed should be available upon the farm the 

 larger portion of the year. In winter it takes the place of 

 summer pasturage ; during the late summer and fall it is needed 

 to supplement the shortage of pasturage which usually occurs 

 about this time. 



An average cow in full flow of milk will consume 40 pounds 

 of silage daily to good advantage. This amount of silage com- 



