214 CATTLE 



Cows that give milk are given feeds rich in protein, 

 while beef cattle are fed corn or other grain that con- 

 tains a good deal of starch and sugar in it. During 

 the growing season cattle should have green pastures 

 to graze, or should be fed succulent plants or soiling 

 crops, such as green clover, alfalfa, and corn. In win- 

 ter they may be fed corn silage or root crops along with 

 hay and grain. Corn silage is one of the most important 

 winter feeds for milk cows. 



Dairy products. Milk, and the cream, butter, and 

 cheese which are made from milk, are called dairy prod- 

 ucts ; and they are used so extensively that the dairy 

 business is a very important industry. 



Other products. Enormous quantities of beef are 

 used as food, and millions of cattle are slaughtered 

 and converted into beef in the great packing houses 

 of our large cities. The skins or hides of cattle are 

 tanned into leather, which is used to make gloves, 

 boots and shoes, and harness. Sometimes the skins 

 with the hair attached are tanned into robes and over- 

 coats. The skins of Galloway cattle, because of their 

 curly hair, are often used for this purpose. The hair 

 is used in the making of plaster ; the horns and hoofs 

 are used in making glue and gelatin ; and the bones, 

 blood, and other wastes are used in making commercial 

 fertilizers. 



QUESTIONS 



i. What are some of the leading breeds of beef cattle? Of 

 dairy cattle ? 



