18 THE DAIRY OF THE FARM. 



with one quarter the quantity of malt- dust, one quarter 

 bran, and twice the quantity of a mixture in equal propor- 

 tions of bean- straw, oat- straw, and oat- shells ; all well 

 mixed up together, moistened, and steamed for one hour. 

 This steamed food had a very fragrant odour, and was 

 much relished by the cattle : it was given warm three 

 times a day, at the rate of about 7 Ibs. to each cow (or 

 21 Ibs. daily). Bean-meal was also scattered dry over the 

 steamed food, cows in full milk getting 2 Ibs. per day, the 

 others but little. When the animals had eaten up this 

 steamed food and bean-meal, they were each supplied daily 

 with 28 to 35 Ibs. of cabbages from October to December, 

 of kohl-rabi till February, or of mangolds till grass time ; 

 each cow having given to her, after each of the three 

 feedings, 4 Ibs. of meadow hay (or 12 Ibs. daily). The 

 roots were not cut, but given whole. The animals were 

 twice a day allowed to drink as much water as they 

 desired. Mr. Horsfall ultimately discontinued the use of 

 bean-meal owing to its comparative price, and in its place, 

 along with about 5 Ibs. of rape-cake, gave an additional 

 allowance of malt coombs, and 2 or 3 Ibs. of Indian corn- 

 meal per cow. On this food, in instances actually 

 observed, his cows gave 14 quarts of milk a day, at the 

 same time that they gained flesh at the rate of about one 

 quarter of a cwt. per month. 



As regards the summer feeding of these cattle, Mr. 

 Horsfall says : " During May, my cows are turned out 

 on a rich pasture near the homestead : towards evening 

 they are again housed for the night, when they are 

 supplied with a mess of the steamed mixture and a little 

 hay each morning and evening. During June, when the 

 grasses are better grown, mown grass is given to them 



