280 
THE RURAt NEW-YORKER 
March 5, 
THE VALUE OF POTATOES FOR FEEDING 
PURPOSES. 
In many years the supply of potatoes 
is short, and the price high. In such 
years small potatoes can be sold for 
about half of what the large ones bring, 
especially in. the Spring when the supply 
becomes short. In a year like the present 
one. however, the 'supply of marketable 
potatoes is so large that there is no de¬ 
mand for small ones for human food. 
Under these circumstances, the farmer 
naturally feeds them to his stock, if he 
has any. Many of these farmers, how¬ 
ever, would be surprised to know the 
value of potatoes for feeding purposes. 
Frozen potatoes, which have no value 
otherwise, are just as good to feed as 
any, if taken immediately after they 
thaw, and before they decay. There are 
also scabby ones, which are not salable 
in a year of surplus yield, which may be 
used for the same purpose but by treat¬ 
ment with formaldehyde or corrosive 
sublimate, these may be used for seed, 
and the good potatoes, which would other¬ 
wise be planted, may be sold. Potatoes 
may be fed to horses, pigs, sheep or cat¬ 
tle. In feeding to pigs, they are cooked 
in as small a quantity of water as possi¬ 
ble, mashed, and mixed with cornmeal to 
a thick mush. It has been found by ex¬ 
periments performed by Prof. Henry 
that about 440 pounds of potatoes are 
equal in value to 100 pounds of cornmeal. 
This would give them a value of a little 
over 13 cents a bushel for that purpose, 
with corn at 60 cents a bushel. 
For horse feeding, the potatoes should 
be steamed, and may be mixed with 
straw. In French experiments 30 pounds 
have been found to equal 11 pounds of 
hay. This would give a value of 12 cents 
a bushel, when fed to horses, in substi- 
turipn for hay at $12 a ton. Horses have 
also been fed on potatoes and hay alone, 
the ration being 26 pounds of hay and a 
half bushel of potatoes per day. and they 
gained during the two weeks of the trial. 
When carrots were substituted for pota¬ 
toes in equal quantity, they were found 
to be much less valuable. For cows and 
sheep, potatoes may be fed raw, and it is 
well to slice them. Cows may be main¬ 
tained exclusively on potatoes, and will 
increase in milk flow. They will, how¬ 
ever, decrease in weight,' and soon eat 
them with repugnance. It is interesting 
to note that they eat their weight of them 
every two weeks, when fed upon potatoes 
alone. Cornevin, who performed the 
above experiment, found that raw pota¬ 
toes increased the milk flow, while 
cooked ones increased the live weight. 
Having a dairy, and plenty of small 
potatoes this Winter, I thought I would 
try to combine the two. I had no pigs to 
feed them to, and even if I had, I should 
have fed them to the cows, if the value 
had been equal, and it is a good deal 
more trouble to cook and mash the pota¬ 
toes. and mix in meal, than to feed them 
raw. Out of the dairy of 10 cows, two 
were fresh, and two were farrow, the 
rest being due to freshen before April 
20, except one, due in May 7 . The ten 
were fed one bushel per day among them, 
beginning early in January, but the fresh 
cows, which were getting one pound of 
grain to three pounds of milk, showed no 
effect. The other eight were getting one 
pound of grain to four of milk, and after 
one week of feeding potatoes, they came 
right up on their yield. I will give their 
record of the six cows with calf, and 
aho that of the two farrow ones, three 
weeks before, and one month after I 
started feeding the potatoes. 
Week 
commencing 
Six cows 
Two cows 
Dec. 
12. 
.... 605 
204 
Dec. 
19. 
.... 610 
209 
Dec. 
26. 
.... 541 
208 
Jan. 
2. 
.... 573 
20S 
Jan. 
9 ! 
.... 628 
232 
.Tan. 
16. 
.... 637 
240 
Jan. 
23. 
.... 530 
232 
It was during the week of January 
second, that the regular feeding of po¬ 
tatoes began, although some had been 
fed before that time. It will be noticed 
that although the farrow cows did not 
fall appreciably during the two weeks 
beginning December 19 and 26, respec¬ 
tively 7 , the six with calf dropped from 
610 pounds to 541 pounds, or 59 pounds. 
It is only fair to suppose that this drop 
was not due to any outside condition, or 
the farrow ones would have fallen off to 
the same extent, whereas their differ¬ 
ence was only one pound, a negligible 
quantity. It is also fair to suppose, that 
had the potatoes not been fed, these six 
would have continued to drop, and the 
two farrow ones would have remained 
the same, as all other conditions re¬ 
mained the same during the whole time. 
We find, however, a gain of 16 pounds 
a week for each cow between December 
26 and January 16, including those which 
were farrow. At the price I received at 
this time, for milk, $1.78 per 100 pounds, 
this figures out to 40.9 cents per bushel, 
as the cows got 7-10 of a bushel apiece 
per week. This is the amount the pota¬ 
toes brought, owing simply to the in¬ 
creased production caused by 7 them. 
Since, without potatoes, they probably 
would have continued to fall off, still 
more should be credited to the potatoes, 
but 41 cents per bushel is pretty good. 
Many of these potatoes were unsalable, 
even as small ones, there being many 
among them which had been partly frozen. 
They were not even cut, so the only 
labor was that of feeding them. These 
cows have 40 pounds of good silage per 
day, so they were not in need of succu¬ 
lent food. If they had been, they would 
have come up even more on their milk 
yield. 
I thought at first, that perhaps their 
ration was too narrow to furnish them 
sufficient carbohydrates, as the grain fed 
was cotton-seed meal and pea meal, but 
had this been the case, the two fresh 
cows would have shown more gain; and 
their ration was narrower; whereas, they 
showed none. If I had fed these eight 
cows one pound of grain to three pounds 
of milk, and they had risen on their milk 
flow as much as they did on the potatoes, 
the grain equivalent of one bushel of 
these potatoes would have been 13 
pounds, worth 20 cents. As after trial 
with more grain than one pound to four 
of milk, I had decided that that was the 
most profitable ratio, for cows that were 
drying up, I feel certain that that amount 
of grain would have had no more than 
that much effect, and it might have had 
less. Under these circumstances, I feel 
justified in concluding that potatoes are 
worth at least 20 cents a bushel, to feed 
COWS. ALBERT H. DE GRAFF. 
Jefferson County, N. Y. 
RAPID FATTENING OF HOGS. 
Will some one tell me the best way to 
feed pigs so as to make 300-pound hogs 
the quickest and cheapest? I have rye for 
pasture and plenty of corn ; can buy other 
feeds in our local market: What can I 
afford to pay for bran, shorts, etc. to feed 
at a profit? Would it pay to grind or 
crush the corn? c. D. M. 
Springville, Ind. 
I would pasture the hogs in small lots, 
if possible, and provide a succession of 
such crops as clover, Alfalfa, oats and 
peas and rape for the entire Summer. 
Start the pigs on a thin slop of shorts 
and water if you can not get skim-milk. 
Wfhen the pigs are about eight weeks 
old add- a- little tankage to the feed, in¬ 
creasing very gradually. When the pigs 
are three or four months old gradually 
substitute a little cornmeal in place of 
the shorts, and continue feeding the 
tankage. Care must be used in feeding 
tankage, as it is very concentrated, and 
should never form- more than 10 per cent 
of the ration. Usually during the time 
the pigs are growing six or seven per 
cent is 'sufficient, and this should be re¬ 
duced to about three per cent when fin¬ 
ishing for market. The cornmeal should 
be gradually increased until it entirely 
supplants the shorts, during the last two 
months before marketing. At the pres¬ 
ent prices it would probably pay to grind 
your corn without the cob instead of 
feeding it on the ear, as it could then 
be mixed with tankage and soaked a 
few minutes before feeding. Tankage 
should never be fed alone, and it could 
not well be mixed with the corn without 
grinding. c. s. G. 
Farmer (at the grindstone) : “Well, 
why don’t yer turn?” City Nephew: 
“Nix! Ye don’t fool me ag’in! When¬ 
ever I turn, ye go and bear down with 
the axe!”—Life. 
Chumpleigh : “Well, my dear, I had 
m 3 7 life insured for $5,000 to-day,” Mrs. 
Chumpleigh: “I’m glad you did, John. 
Now you won’t have to be so careful 
about dodging street cars and automo¬ 
biles.”—Chicago Daily News. 
HARRIS 
STEEL CHAIN HANGING 
WOODLINED 
STANCHIONS 
and SANITARY PIPE STALLS 
make tlie most sanitary, strongest 
and neatest appearing barn equip¬ 
ment. Send for descriptive circu¬ 
lars and get our prices before you 
equip your barn. 
The Harris Mfg. Co. 
Box 552 Salem Ohio 
Hinman Milking Machine 
Simple, Sanitary and Practical. Weighs 10 pounds. 
Costs S35.00. Ask for milk records made with 
Machine during past year. 
HINMAN MILKING MACHINE CO. 
80 Washington Avenue, Oneida, N. Y. 
PRIZE WINNERS'! PERCHER0N, BELGIAN, 
I ’ 
&nd y Hackney and Coach 
MONEYMAKERS j Stallions and Mares 
This is the third and last call for those who 
wish to get started tn the Breeding Business 
right, for the season 1910. 
You will find in this fresh Lot of Stallions 
the best thatAmerica and Europe can produce. 
Ihaving selected them wi th a view to meeting 
the requirements and demands of the Breeders 
of the Middle and New England States. 
That I am fully awake as to the needs of 
the Eastern Man, is proven by the clean sweep 
of Prizes at the Eastern Fairs of 1909. 
First come, first servedso do not stop to 
write; but come to Shortsville, New York, where 
it will not cost you any more for thes e high 
grade, money making kinds, than to buy infer¬ 
ior animals elsewhere. 
Come to S hortsville and get acqua inted with 
Ames Sutphen who will sell you ihe profitable 
kind at ihe right price; on the right terms; 
backed up by the right guarantee. 
G. A. SUTPHEN, Importer and Breeder, Shortsville N. Y. 
Shortsville is on Auburn Branch of N. Y. C. K. R. between Rochester and Syracuse. 
Photograph of three Percheron Stallions now in my 
Barn. 
A Great MID=WINTER SALE 
Will be held at the Sharon Valley Stock Farm, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1910. 
187 Stallions and Mares, Belgians, nercherons and German Coach—137. 
No question but thiswill be the greatest mid-winter sale ever held in America. 
It is onlythrough the pressing demand that 1 have consented to hold it. A grand 
anti select lot of stallions and mares. Mares will he sold at auction, the principal 
number of stallions at private sale. The great ni cy Percheron mare, Champion of 
France last year at the Paris show : a lot of the l>cst Belgian mares, mostly In 
pairs ami in foal; a few fine stallions that received blemishes on the ship (the 
blemishes not hurting them for breeding or looks); also a young, dark steel grey 
Percheron stallion colt, will all be sold at this sale. Two car loads of Kentucky 
and Kansas mules coming 3 years old, worked in harness a few times, and broke 
to handle, will go to the highest bidder, as well as some home bred mares and 
geldings. Come and bring your friends and neighbors. You will soon need just 
what I have to offer. Catalogs will be furnished on day of sale. Newark ia 
centrally located In the State, on the B. & O. and P. C. C. and St. Louis HR. Free 
conveyances to ami from farm. All communications promptly answered. Address 
Cit, Phone 266—Bell Phone 65IW, 
gA AMERICA’S 
jB^Leading Horse Imnorters 
mm* PERCHERON STALLIONS 
H® And FRENCH COACH 
■S STALLIONS 
V • We import the BEST of each of the 
above breeds, and have them constantly 
11 on hand FOR SALE at VERY 
JUr REASONABLE PRICES. 
pjpu McLaughlin bros., 
V. — -uS Kansas City, Mo. Columbus.O. St. Paul,Minn. 
JERSEY BULL CALVES FOR SALE. 
We have for sale three pure-bred, registered 
Jersey bull calves, from four to six months old, 
all fine, lusty fellows, beautifully colored and weli 
bred. These'calves are by Loretta's King and out 
of fine young cows in register of merit. These are 
royally bred animals, but we will sell at farmers’ 
prices. NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL OF AG¬ 
RICULTURE, John McLennan, Supt., Alfred, N.Y. 
1 AIIRFI — REGISTERED JERSEYS ONLY 
LnUllLu Fern’s Jubilee 738.72, as well bred in 
“butter lines" as any bull in the 
r 1 D M world, heads the herd. 
1* U h V STOCK FOR SALE. 
I n II m J. GRANT MORSE. Hamilton, N. Y. 
RIVERLAND FARM 
OFFERS SEVERAL HEAD OF HIGH 
CLASS REGISTERED 
You Can't Afford 
dairy stock, ready for service at farmer s price. 
R. F. SHANNON, 907 Liberty St., Pittsburg. Pa. 
PERGHERONS 
r n « Colo Duroc Jersey Red Swine, Brood Sows and Fall 
rUl OalCi Pigs, Collie Dogs, few Pairs Choice Knibden 
Geese, Rouen and Wild Mallard Ducks, Partridge P. ltocks, 
Mostly mares in foal from Two to Five years. A 
few young Stallions, all priced at their real worth. 
JAY GELDER. Kanona, N.Y. 
Golden Buried Rocks. J. H. Lewis* Son, R.F.D. N'o. 2, Cadiz, O. 
BEG. JERSEY CATTLE. Chester White, Poland 
11 China and Berkshire Pigs. Lincoln, Shropshire and 
Hampshire Down Sheep. Scotch Collie Dog? and a 
variety of Poultry. Send 2-cent stamp for circular. Come 
see my stock and"make your oh ii selections. Address 
EDWARD WALTER, WestChester.ChesterUo., Pa. 
100 Percheron Stallions & Mares 100 
Imported and Purebred Tteg 7 - 
istered Stallions from $400 to 
$1,200. 
Mares from $250 to $000. 
WRITE FOR ART BLOTTER. 
BURTON <2# CO., KENTON, OHIO 
THE PLACE TO BUY 
Calves REGISTERED HOLSTEINS 
Yearlings DON’T WAIT to send for 
Two-year-olds detailed description as the 
Three-year-olds stock you would buy might 
Cows due this mo. be so ld ; phone or write 
Cows due next mo. and we w ill meet you at 
Cows due every month. train S1R KORNDYKE 
MANOR DEK.OL, JR., 35135, one of the greatest 
bred bulls of the breed, at head of herd. 
RIVENBURGH BROS., R. F. D. No. 1, MUNNSVILLE, N. Y. 
KENTUCKY MAMMOTH JACKS 
Jacks. Jennets and Saddle Horses; 2G0 head to se¬ 
lect from. Tamworth swine, ail ages. Catalogues 
now ready. J. F. COOK & CO., Lexington, Ky. 
BULL CALVES-YOUNG BULLS 
ready for service, that are of good size ami individ¬ 
uality. All are from officially tested dams, ami are 
sired by Homestead Girl De Kill's Sarcastic 
Lad. We have sixty daughters of this Bull that 
will lie kept in the Herd ami officially tested. 
Write for description ami prices. 
WOODCREST FARM, 
Rifton, Ulster County, New York. 
Kalorama Farm Berkshires. 
Service Boars all sold. 
Bred Sows all sold. 
Fall Pigs all sold. 
Am now taking orders for Spring Pigs, April and 
May delivery. 
CALVIN J. HUSON, Penn Yarn N.Y. 
The BLOOMING DALE HERD OF 
HOLSTKIN-FRIKSIANS 
are bred for large production. Good size, Strong 
Constitution, Best Individuality. 
If these are the kind you want write or come to 
see them. 125 to select from. Animals of both sexes 
and all ages to offer at prices that will please you. 
A special offer on some nicely bred Bull Calves. 
A. A.-CORTELYOU. Somerville, N. J. 
Reg. P. Chinas, Berkshires, C. Whites. 
Fine, large strains; all ages, mated 
not akin. Bred sows, service Boars, 
WHmuyp Jersey and Holstein Calves. Oollie 
Pups, Beagles and Poultry. Write for 
prices & circulars. Hamilton & Co., Middletown,Pa. 
IMPdRTATinN of the best; large improved 
imrUniAIIUn English Yorkshires for sale. 
A. A. BRADLEY, Erewsburg, N. Y. 
FOR SALE AT FARMERS’ PRICES, 
Three yearlings and one two-year-old, pure-bred 
and registered Holstein bull's, ready for service, 
well grown, well marked, well bred, straight and 
handsome. If tlie breeding and price is satisfac¬ 
tory they will be sold subject to approval, and if 
not found as represented may be returned at our 
expense. NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL OF AG¬ 
RICULTURE, John McLennan, Supt., Alfred, N.Y. 
1 ARGE Berkshires at Highwood— Short, broad heads. 
L Mature animals weigh from 700 to 900 lbs. Special 
offering of bred sows. Sows averaged eleven to the 
litter this spring. Write for booklet. 
H. C. & H. B. HARPENDING, Dundee, N.Y. 
SPRINGBANK BERKSHIRES. £3 
in Connecticut. Send for new booklet just pub¬ 
lished; 40 sows bred for Spring 1910 Farrow: no 
culls; any one is a show sow. J. E. WATSON, 
Proprietor, Marbiedale. Connecticut. 
it* ILK PRODUCERS for New York City market 
desiring information how to form branches 
of the Dairymen’s League, write to the Secretary, 
ALBERT MANNING, Otisville, N. I . 
WHITE, BACON HOG. 
UnLOnllltO Long-bodied, Square-built, good 
grazers, good mothers, gentle, profitable. 
MORNINGSIDE FARM, Sylvania, Pa. 
ENGLISH SETTER PUPS, eligible to register, with tlie 
L bird sense born in them. 
W. J. WILKIE, R. F. D. 1, Geneva, N. Y. 
nU 0P U: rQt ,-THK WHITE BACON HOG. 
UIIcMImC^ Long bodied. Square-built, good 
grazers, goo ’ mothers, gentle, profitable. . 
S MORNINGSIDE FARM, Sylvania, Pa. 
Ffir QO 10 ® l,roc -L'sey lted Swine, Brood Sows and Fall 
1 Ul OQIG. Pigs, Collie Dogs, few Pairs Choice Knibden 
Geese, Itouen ami Wild Mallard Ducks, Partridge P. ltocks, 
Golden Barred Rocks. J. H. Lewis* Son, R. F.D. No. 2, Cadiz,0, 
U NICORN DA IRY RATION 
reduces the cost of feeding from 10 % to 
The UNICORN DAIRY RATION has doubled our butter (and milk) yield 
in a single month. Marion Farm, Mifflin, Pa., Geo. E. Copenhaver, Supt. 
Write us for particulars. CHAPIN & CO., BUFFALO, N. Y. 
