Tests with Feeding Stuffs. 



419 



plete the ration with some protein-rich roughage, like cowpea hay or 

 silage, than with more expensive concentrates. The great value of 

 cowpea hay to the dairy interests of the South is well set forth in 

 this trial. 



680. Hairy vetch hay.- — Duggar of the Alabama Station^ substi- 

 tuted 6.6 lbs. of hairy vetch hay for 7 lbs. of wheat bran for short 

 periods, and found substantially no decrease in milk flow. (262) 



681. Soybean silage and alfalfa hay. — At the New Jersey Sta- 

 tion- Lane fed 2 lots of 2 cows each for 2 periods of 15 days alter- 

 nately upon the rations shown below: 



Soybean silage and alfalfa hay compared with purchased protein. 



The table shows that the yield of fat was the same for these two 

 rations, while the home-grown ration with corn meal produced slightly 

 more milk. There was a saving of 1.1 cents per lb. of butter pro- 

 duced when the ration of soybean silage and alfalfa hay was fed. 



682. Summary.- — These trials show conclusively that the legumes 

 rich in crude protein and mineral matter are of great importance in 

 reducing the quantity of expensive concentrates ordinarily fed to 

 dairy cows. If the legumes are so used it is most desirable that some 

 succulent roughage such as corn silage or roots form a part of the 

 ration to furnish variety and palatability as well as nourishment. In 

 such cases very little additional roughage such as straw, corn stover, 

 or low-grade hay should be used, for a cow giving a large quantity 

 of milk cannot long do her best and retain her vitality on even the 

 best of roughages when they alone are fed, for their digestion and 

 passage thru the alimentary tract call for an expenditure of energy 

 beyond her powers. The rich legume roughages may be most profit- 

 ably used in place of about half the concentrates usually fed, pro- 

 vided corn silage or roots form a part of the ration. This means that 

 ordinarily not over 6 lbs. of expensive concentrates need be fed per 

 cow daily. It is not wise to force the cow giving a good flow of milk 

 to subsist wholly on roughages, no matter how good they may be. 



Bui. 174. 



Bui. 123. 



