Belmont Chronicle

CORN FOR Milch Cows. — A correspondent of the Rural New Yorker, gives the following experiments on feeding corn meal to milch cows. We have known of this practice for several years past, and some good farmers regard the feed excellent for the purpose.

In the fall of 1854, I began to feed three farrow cows for the purpose of supplying a milkman in this vicinity with milk for market. I had a few sugar beets and turnips with which I begun, and, as I designed the farrow cows for the butcher in the spring, I commenced giving them meal from corn and barley, one tenth bushels of grain; then corn meal alone, increasing until they eat one peck each per day. I tried it cooked and raw, wet and dry, mixed with cut fodder composed of hay, straw and corn-stalks cut up together, varying the amount of each as convenience might suggest, (as I think all animals require a variety.)

Now for the result. The cows increased in milk, giving more on the above feed than they had done on grass during the summer. Contrary to my expectations, they did not improve very fast in flesh on the food given, and I was obliged to dry them up early in March, to get them fit for the shambles. My cows that were coming in in the spring, had two quarts corn meal each per day, and they also gave milk liberally. The milk being sold daily, gave an excellent opportunity for testing the amount given at the time. I made up my mind that corn meal was the best for milk of any food for the milch cow, and still think so, if good, rich milk is wanted. It has been tried considerably in this vicinity with the same results as here given. I fed cut feed, but I do not think that would vary the result; with me, if the cows get their daily allowance, I get the returns. — Farmers, please try it, and report the effects.

J. TALCOTT.