280 Feeds and Feeding. 



to each of 2 horses, while 2 others received 25 lbs. each of timothy 

 hay, all doing farm work. For concentrates each horse received 10 

 lbs. of mixed bran and shorts daily, except during unusually hard 

 work when 15 lbs. was given. The alfalfa-fed horses held their 

 weight or gained, while those fed timothy hay sometimes lost. In 

 all cases the alfalfa-fed horses appeared in better condition than 

 those getting timothy hay. Merrill writes: "The teamsters did not 

 notice any particular effect of the feed on the willingness of the 

 horses to do work, tho they were agreed that if they could have their 

 choice they would much prefer those fed alfalfa." 



442. Cowpea hay.— In a feeding trial at the North Carolina Sta- 

 tion^ Burkett found that cowpea hay combined with corn-and-cob 

 meal made a satisfactory work ration, and that cowpea hay with a 

 reasonable quantity of corn could be substituted for bran and 

 oats. (261) 



443. Corn silage. — This feed has been successfully used in a lim- 

 ited way by a few individuals. Nourse of the Virginia Station- fed 

 6 mules and 2 horses during winter on hay, corn, and from 50 to 200 

 lbs. of corn silage per head weekly. The conclusion was that corn 

 silage is a good roughage for horses when combined with hay, corn 

 stover, and grain. Nourse holds that most of the troubles caused by 

 feeding silage to horses come from not gradually accustoming the 

 animals to this feed, from feeding too heavily, and from not realizing 

 that silage often contains much corn. Pearson^ of the University of 

 Pennsylvania, investigating an outbreak where 5 horses suddenly 

 died, found that moldy silage had been fed. On feeding half a 

 bushel of the moldy silage paralysis of the throat occurred, followed 

 by death. When water which had percolated thru this moldy silage 

 was given to a horse it likewise proved fatal. Wing* reports the 

 death of 8 horses from eating waste silage thrown into yards from 

 racks where lambs were being fed. In view of such remotely possible 

 troubles, silage should be fed to horses only where intelligent super- 

 vision insures the use of good material given in moderation to ani- 

 mals gradually accustomed thereto. (363) 



444. Roots. — The use of roots and tubers for nourishing horses 

 will hardly assume importance in this country because Indian corn, 

 kafir, etc., furnish nutriment at lower cost. Roots, especially carrots, 

 are greatly relished by horses, and because of their succulence may 

 serve a most useful purpose in the stable, where they are great favor- 



1 Bui. 189. ' Expt. Sta. Eec, 12, p. 886. 



== Bui. 80. ' Breeder 's Gaz., 45, 1904, p. 568. 



