FOOD FOR MILCH COWS IN SUMMER 245 



will be effected in grazing and that some fertility will 

 be added to the pastures from feeding grain is self- 

 evident. It will be equally apparent, however, that the 

 exact measure of the influence exercised in each of these 

 several instances cannot be reached. 



The following conclusions regarding the question 

 would seem safe: (i) When cows are fed grain when 

 on pastures succulent and abundant, the tendency of 

 such feeding is to increase the yield in the milk given. 

 (2) The tendency in such feeding is also to promote 

 some increase in flesh production. (3) The quality of 

 the milk is not materially influenced by such feeding. 

 (4) The residual effects from such feeding are consider- 

 able. These effects are usually shown in two ways: 

 first, in building up the system, as it were, through in- 

 crease in flesh ; and, second, by increased subsequent 

 production in the period of lactation that immediately 

 follows. It has also been demonstrated that grain fed 

 to heifers in milk, of yet uncompleted growth on such 

 pastures, resulted in securing a more perfect growth 

 than where it is not so fed. (5) Some saving will be 

 effected in the pasture. While the amount of such sav- 

 ing is not easily determined, it is about certain that such 

 saving will nearly equal the value of the grain fed, as 

 pasture is relatively cheaper than grain. (6) The re- 

 sultant fertilizer from feeding grain should have a 

 tangible value. This value will be proportionate to the 

 quantity of meal fed and to the fertilizing nutrients in 

 the same. The increase in direct milk production, there- 

 fore, from feeding grain, tells but a part of the benefit 

 from such feeding and probably not the most im- 

 portant part. 



In the present status of this question, the following 

 would seem to be a judicious course to pursue : When 

 the pastures are succulent and abundant, and where the 

 probable supply of the pasture is ample, omit feed grain 

 from the time that the change from stable to pasture 



