FEEDING FOR MILK PRODUCTION 257 



ance the ration. However, in case of feeding large quantities 

 of grain, for example, 5 pounds per day, or above, other feeds, 

 containing more protein, should be used in part, such as : 

 bran, gluten meal, oats, or cottonseed meal. 



Summer Conditions to be Maintained as near as Possible 

 throughout the Year. Soon after the cows are on pasture, 

 usually in the latter part of May or the first part of June, they 

 usually reach the maximum production of milk for the year. 

 This suggests that what the dairyman must do in order that 

 the production of milk may be the largest is to imitate these 

 early summer conditions as far as possible throughout the 

 remainder of the year. This is what the careful dairyman 

 and skilled feeder does, and the results correspond closely to 

 the success with which these summer conditions are main- 

 tained. The summer conditions which bring about the max- 

 imum production, and which are to be maintained as far as 

 possible through the year, are described in the following state- 

 ments : 



1. An abundance of palatable food. 



2. A balanced ration. 



3. Succulent feed. 



4. Moderate temperature. 



5. Comfortable surroundings. 



Providing for Periods of Short Pasture. As long as fresh 

 pasture grasses are abundant, the ordinary cow is about as 

 well provided for as she can be to produce milk economically. 

 Unfortunately the season of abundant pasturage is often 

 short. In many localities a dry period, often of several 

 weeks, occurs during the middle or latter part of the summer, 

 and the pastures become short and insufficient to maintain 



