228 



WINTER FEEDING OF DAIRY COWS 



One value of the silo is that by its means the com is not 

 only cut fine and some che\ving thus saved, but it is soaked soft 

 and mellow, assisting the covi^ in the work of rediiction (Fig. 75). 



Balance of Nutrients. — One of the most important features 

 influencing the matter of large and economical yields of milk is 

 the balance of the nutrients in the feed given. It is in this 

 phase of the subject that most feeders make the most serious 

 mistakes. The need of any mature cow for feed may be briefly 

 stated as the demand for small quantities of various ash ma- 

 terials to maintain the bone of the body, to furnish ash to the 

 milk, and for other purposes. The quantity and nature of the 

 ash are nearly, if not quite, amply provided by a mixed rough- 



FiG. 76. — Art and utility may be successfully combined. Dairy stable and two silos 

 belonging to E. H. Sears. 



age and grain ration, especially if a small quantity of bone meal 

 is mixed with the cow's salt. The cow, however, contains large 

 quantities of muscular tissue or lean meat which is ,slowly but 

 continually wearing out and being voided from the system. To 

 make good this loss, materials of like character must be pro- 

 vided. Lean meat is composed very largely of proteins. Plants 

 contain protein, not of identical character, but similar, and 

 under normal conditions it is only from the plant protein that 

 animal tissue is built. Milk contains about 3.50 pounds pro- 

 tein in every 100 pounds. Cows, therefore, require especially 

 liberal amounts of protein in their rations. 



A. third element required is heat and energy. Some heat is 



