76 CLEAN MILK 



fed, when the milk is especially intended for infants' use. The feed- 

 ing of spoiled, moldy, ensilage, and remnants of ensilage which have 

 been allowed to accumulate about the barn, are chiefly responsible 

 for the harm this foodstuff inflicts upon milk. In fact, some 

 authorities say that a ration of under 40 lbs. daily per cow is not 

 damaging to milk. Some of the largest buyers of -milk in the United 

 States, however, refuse milk from ensilage-fed cows, and "those 

 versed in the use of milk for baby feeding find that a small feed of 

 ensilage is safer. The only real objection to silage feeding lies in 

 the use of sour and moldy ensilage and in feeding such large 

 amounts that the cows have diarrhea. In the latter case it is impos- 

 sible to keep either cows or premises clean. Any sloppy or green 

 fodder which produces diarrhea is therefore to be avoided. When 

 certified milk is produced there should never be any sudden change 

 in the ration, as the composition of the milk may be thus suddenly 

 altered. When the feeding of ensilage is begun in the autumn 

 very small quantities must be given at first and the quantity should 

 only be gradually increased — if the milk is intended for infants* 

 food. Otherwise the milk will be likely to cause vomiting and diar- 

 rhea in babies. The same remark applies to the use of corn stalks 

 in summer. They should not be fed to cows until after the corn is 

 in blossom and then only in small quantities at the beginning. 

 Grass, hay, clover and grains have been considered the best food 

 for cows supplying milk for use by babies, but a moderate ration 

 of silage is allowable. The melting point of butter may differ ac- 

 cording to the feed of the cows. Gluten products and gluten meal 

 tend to produce a soft butter, while cotton seed meal tends to make 

 a hard butter. Barley and peas in grain mixtures give rise to a 

 softer butter than cornmeal or wheat bran with cotton and linseed 

 meal. 



The time of feeding is a matter of great moment. In general, 

 it may be said that milk cows should only be fed after milking to 

 avoid dust in the barn, and fodder, when given at this time — as 



