FEEDING SILAGE. 355 



induces too lax a condition of the bowels when fed in 

 any considerable quantities to horses that labor 

 hard. 



The best results probably are obtained from 

 feeding silage to milch cows. Because of its succu- 

 lence it is favorable to milk production, and when 

 properly preserved it does not in any way injuriously 

 affect the quality of the milk. It also furnishes 

 excellent food for young cattle, store cattle and cattle 

 that are being finished for beef. But to obtain the 

 very best results, the silage must be fed with judg- 

 ment and discretion. 



Silage furnishes good food for sheep of all 

 ages, but in very cold weather caution should be used 

 as to the extent to which it is fed. When fed freely 

 at such a time, much of the silage will become cold 

 before it is consumed, since sheep are usually fed in 

 sheds in which the temperature within is not far 

 different from the temperature without. It is not 

 wise to feed green food in a cold condition at such 

 a time when such feeding can be avoided. Since 

 cattle sheds are usually warmer than sheep sheds, 

 there is not the same objection to feeding silage to 

 cattle thus protected in severely cold weather. 



Silage has not proved a really good food for 

 swine. It is usually too bulky and is in consequence 

 not well adapted to the digestive system of swine. 

 Nevertheless, a little of it may be fed to them with 

 some advantage. Brood sows and store pigs will 

 chew over the parts rejected by other stock and will 

 doubtless get some benefit therefrom. But it is at 

 least questionable as to whether silage should be fed 

 in any considerable quantity to hogs that are being 



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