ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 327 



The farmer should, as a rule, aim to raise the greater portion 

 of the feed for his stock on the farm. Since rough feed is usually 

 much cheaper than grain, too much importance cannot be placed 

 on securing hay and fodder in the best possible condition. If hay 

 is unduly exposed to clew and rain during the time of curing it 

 loses much, both in nutrition aind palatability. It is also import- 

 ant that hay and fodder be cut at the proper stage, before be- 

 coming too ripe and the stems woody. 



Leguminous plants, (those bearing their seeds in pods or 

 legumes,) as clover, alfalfa, cowpeas, beans, etc., are rich in 

 protein and should be raised in sufficient quantities to supply the 

 necessary protein for the stock. If the supply of protein is defi- 

 cient some feed rich in that substance should be purchased to 

 complete the ration. 



Grain feed should not usually compose over half the ration, 

 and from that to nothing, according to the character of the rough- 

 age available and amount of milk given by the cow. In general 

 it is a safe rule to feed liberally on good roughage and vary the 

 grain feed to suit the requirements of the individual. 



When cows have luxuriant pasture during the late spring be- 

 fore the heat is excessive or the flies troublesome the conditions 

 are as near ideal for dairy cows as it easy to obtain. The nearer 

 we can approach these conditions the year around tthe better for 

 milk production. It is, therefore, essential to the best yields and 

 most economical results that succulent food be provided for cows 

 during the winter months. There are two ways of providing 

 this succulent food — by silage and by root crops. 



By comparing the results obtained at several different ex- 

 periment stations it is found that corn commonly yields about 

 twice as much nutrients per acre as do root crops. Since roots 

 require much more hand labor, which is so expensive in this 

 country, it is more economical for the Illinois farmer to get the 

 succulent feed during the winter from corn silage than from root 

 crops. 



Silage is especially valuable on farms or in communities 

 where rough feed is scarce, for more stock can be kept on a 



