ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 269 



For central and southern Illinois there is no crop that will 

 produce more feed to the acre than corn, and by planting a small 

 quantity of an early variety with the general crop, corn may be 

 had in the proper condition for feeding from July 15 until frost. 

 There are several early varieties that will mature for feeding in 

 from sixty to seventy-five days after planting. Corn should not 

 be fed too young. When it is nearly full height it contains only 

 one-third as much nutriment as when in the roasting ear. 



Some other crop should be fed in connection with corn to 

 balance the ration and afford variety. Leguminous crops as 

 clover, Canada peas, cow peas, soy beans, etc., are especially valua- 

 ble for this purpose, being unusually rich in protein. 



Cowpeas and soy beans give a large amount of valuable forage, 

 furnishing feed from the first of August until frost. If more feed 

 has been grown than can be fed green, it may be made into hay of 

 excellent quality. 



Oats and Canada peas yield well. They are not in condition 

 to feed for more than two or three weeks, but the supply may be 

 lengthened by sowing at different dates. If a portion becomes too 

 ripe it may be utilized by making into hay. 



If the pastures are short and no allowance has been made for 

 green feed, corn cut from the regular crop, if it is near the roast- 

 ing ear stage, will bring the best of returns. Never under any 

 consideration allow the stock to go hungry and suffer the losses 

 incident to shortened feed at the time which is for every reason 

 the most trying to live stock. 



This is an elementary presentation of the subject of feeding 

 and those who wish to study it further are referred to some of the 

 standard books on feeding; among the best being ''Feeds and 

 Feeding" by Professor Henry, director of the agricultural ex- 

 periment station at Madison, Wis. ; and "Feeding Farm Ani- 

 mals" by Dr. Jordan, director of the agricultural experiment sta- 

 tion at Geneva, New York. The former gives a very complete 

 description of the feeding of all classes of farm animals, and also 

 a compilation of the results of feeding investigations, both in 

 this country and abroad ; the latter is a well written popular 

 treatis upon the subject of feeding. 



