THE FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE. 473 



raately mixed together within half an hour after they have been swal- 

 lowed, and that the mixing is much more thorough than is possible to 

 get in the feed-box. It is better to let the appetite of the cow govern 

 in that matter rather than the theory of the feeder. 



FOODS FOR DAIRY COWS. 



First in the requisites place palatability, next quantity, and finally 

 proper proportions of nutrients, being guided somewhat by the German 

 standard as expressed in Tables I and If. From the large amount of 

 protein represented by the cheese part of the milk and the albumen, it 

 is certain that a very considerable amount of protein should enter into 

 the composition of the food. The carbohydrates supply the matt-rial 

 out of which the milk-sugar and fats are elaborated, thougji of course 

 these can also be made from the protein substances. The protein and 

 fat of the foods are the more expensive portions, and for that reason we 

 should be careful not to feed them in more liberal allowance than is 

 actually needed. 



Among grain foods for the dairy the following are worthy of special 

 mention: 



Corn. Indian corn is a most valuable food and one of the cheapest 

 used in the dairy, and the quality of milk and butter produced from it 

 usually above question. Corn meal is a very concentrated food and packs 

 too closely in the stomach, and should be extended with something 

 coarser, like bran, if possible. As the table shows, corn does not furnish 

 much protein. 



Ontx are probably the best single food on the list, and are just as 

 valuable in the cow stable as in the horse barn. At this station we 

 have found oats to have the value of about 10 per cent in excessrot' an 

 equal weight of bran for producing milk and butter fat. Oats contain 

 iniieh ash and a larger proportion of protein than corn, and should have 

 a prominent place in the feed bin of our dairy farms whenever the cost 

 is not too high. 



Harli y is a very common food for cows in the Old World, and is used 

 t-i considerable extent on the Pacific coast. It should be crushed by 

 rolling rathfT than grinding. 



Wheat is sometimes so low in comparison with other grains that it can 

 be fed very profitably. Frequently on the Pacific coast it is the cheap- 

 est dairy food in the market. 



/'*. Table I shows peas to contain a very large amount of protein, 

 ami they are an excellent food for dairy cows. Being very rich in pro- 

 tein, Itnt a few pounds should be used in a ration. 



Cotton need. The progress of Southern live-stock interests depends 

 largely upon an intelligent use of cotton seed, cotton seed meal, and 

 cotton-seed hulls. Cotton seed boiled is used at the South with good 

 iv>ults. if fed in reasonable quantity. Cotton seed meal is very rich 

 and heavy and should IHJ fed with wire; it should be extended by some 



