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DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



from a theoretical standpoint and still be extremely inefficient and ex- 

 pensive in the production of either milk or animal growth. On the other 

 hand, a palatable ration not properly balanced theoretically will give super- 

 ior results as compared with an unappetizing and unpalatable ration. Suc- 

 culence is essential to the best results from any feed. Succulence is usually 

 the forerunner and the assurance of a palatable ration. Of the hays, alfalfa 

 is the most succulent. 



Silage of corn, kafir, or cane is the best example of a palatable and 

 succulent feed. Since the establishing of kafir and cane silage as a rough- 

 age — approximating if not the superior of corn silage — the feeding problem 

 of the Western farmer has come near a full solution both from the stand- 

 point of supplying the milk cow with an economical as well as an efficient 

 ration. The silage of these three crops, however, is a feed rich in carbo- 

 hydrates and must be balanced with the protein hays above mentioned, and 

 if these are not available the protein must come through the feeding of 

 either cowpea or soybean meal grown on the farm, or through linseed or 

 cottonseed meal purchased. The silage of corn, kafir, or cane can be greatly 

 improved by the siloing of cowpeas grown with the corn, cane, or kafir. 

 This combination is becoming popular. It adds protein to the silage and 

 comes near producing a balanced ration when cowpeas are added in suffi- 

 cient quantities. 



It is certain that in profitable feeding of milk cows as well as in the 

 economical and profitable rearing of young animals, the proper proportion 

 of the protein of feed is essential. On those farms on which corn, kafir 

 and cane are grown, whether siloed or fed dry in the form of fodder, there 

 must be grown the feed opposite in character which will supply the protein 

 necessary for the proper production of animal growth as well as milk. 



The feeding problem could scarcely be reduced to more simple terms 

 for the farmer in regions of light rainfall. The dry weather and the 

 drought-resistant crops are admirably adapted to a palatable, succulent, 

 economical and profitable ration. The silo is an important essential — 

 through it succulency and palatability will come, and above all a means of 

 storing and holding feed from one year to another in a condition equal m 

 feeding value and palatability to the green plant. Every man knows the 

 effect of an armful of green corn fed night and morning to the milk cow. 

 The silo makes it possible to feed the crop in just that condition in the dead 

 of winter. "Keep in mind that your cow produces the most milk in the 

 month of June on good grass; that if you would have her do as well in De- 

 cember you should first make her comfortable by stabling, feed the same 

 constituents offered in about the same proportions as are found in pasture 

 grass, viz: 2.5 pounds of digestible protein to 12.5 pounds of digestible 

 carbohydrates — and the profits of the cow will be limited only to your 

 ability in selecting a cow that will convert these elements of feed into milk. 



MR. WEBSTER: 



Mr. Borman mentioned this subject of farm credit, which has been 

 discussed more or less from this platform, and I just want to say this as to 



