202 ELEMENTARY TREATISE ON STOCK FEEDS AND FEEDING 



than roots. In southern localities roots may be grown in the 

 winter when land is often idle, and harvested in time to plant 

 com and other summer crops. Roots should be sliced before 

 feeding. They seem to exert a cooling effect on animals. The 

 mangel is probably the most profitable root crop to feed. 



Pasturage. — When dairy cows are receiving plenty of green 

 pasture grass, the production of milk generally increases and 

 under such conditions it is not necessary to feed any roughage. 

 Sometimes a small amount of grain (2 lbs.) fed occasionally 

 at the afternoon feeding is beneficial. If the pasturage is scant 

 the cows will require sufficient feed to supplement it. 



Soiling. — Some farms have not the acreage to support the 

 number of cows the dairyman wishes to keep by pasturing. 

 On other farms the pastures become poor at certain times. On 

 such farms green crops are cut and fed fresh to the animals. 

 There is a great deal of labor involved in handling green crops 

 in this way and for this reason soiling is not popular in some 

 sections. In furnishing green crops to cows, the dairyman must 

 arrange so that green feed may be furnished continuously. Oats, 

 rye, alfalfa, clovers, oats and peas, sorghumi, corn, etc., are 

 popular soiling crops. 



Salt. — This should be allowed the cows regularly. If the 

 cows are on pasture a sheltered box containing rock salt or 

 pulverized salt is helpful. Some feeders mix a little pulverized 

 salt or common salt in the feed, but care must be taken not to 

 add too much and make the feed unpalatable. About ^ to i 

 ounce of salt a day should be given regularly. 



Water. — A good artesian well or other pure water should be 

 supplied the animals at a place near or in the barn, so that the 

 cows will not be forced to go a long distance in severe weather. 

 They should be allowed all they wish as milk requires a great 

 deal of water for a good production. If the water is not at the 

 animals' disposal it should be supplied regularly two or three 

 times a day. If a trough or other vessel is used, the feeder 

 should make sure that it is kept clean. 



Shelter. — In the summer, flies annoy the cows and effect milk 

 production. Some dairymen keep their cows in dark, cool places 



