THE DAIRY HERD 43 



cow so that she may have a month's rest before calving. 

 It should be remembered, however, that even while the 

 cow goes 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 entirely 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 desir- 

 able 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 pref- 

 erably 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 gradually 

 increased until the maximum 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 material 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 



