I know that for me it is far better to purchase what hay will be needed
to feed through the winter than to attempt to grow it. Besides, our
village lots are much too small to be profitably converted into hay
fields, and even if there should be more land than is necessary to
furnish the soiling crops for summer feeding, it is usually much better
economy to employ the same in the cultivation of small fruits, which, as
I have before stated, more than pays for what hay is required, besides
supplying us with many luxuries.
In my own case, I have set apart one-half of an acre from which to supply
the cow with food during a period extending from May first to November
first. Now this will be entirely insufficient, except under the very
best cultivation and management, which, of course, I am bound to bestow
upon it. That it is sufficient, with proper care, I have repeatedly
proved. Such results could hardly be expected, however, from land which
has received no previous preparation, and is worn, wormy, and weedy.
Let us assume, then, that our half acre is in a good, fair state of
productiveness. To produce a continuous supply of wholesome fodder, I
find a system of rotation must be practised, and have subdivided my half
acre into four equal parts, containing each one-eighth of an acre, or
twenty square rods. These I shall designate as plots one, two, three,
and four. Plot one is at the present time in clover, having been seeded
one year ago, and will be ready for use about June. Plot two was sown
to winter rye last October, and will be seeded down with clover this
spring. From this patch of rye I shall obtain the earliest feed, and
will begin using it about May first. Plot three will be sown with corn,
drilled thickly in rows two and a half feet apart, which, if sown as soon
as danger from frost is past, will be ready for use about August first.
Plot four will be sown to mangels or sugar beets. I prefer the latter,
and this is the only crop cultivated for winter use. Both this crop and
the corn are planted with a garden seed drill, while the rye is sown
broadcast. On the first of May I begin cutting the rye. Up to this time
the cow has been fed on clover, hay, and grain.
I calculate to have the cow drop her calf at about April first. To this
end I have her served about June twenty-fifth. Of course, we cannot
always have our own way in this matter, but, accident excepted, we can
usually manage so as to approximate the time. During a period of a few
days subsequent to parturition, I feed quite sparingly—however, allowing
her all the long hay she will eat, together with a peck of beets twice
a day, but no grain of any kind, this reduced ration being necessary to
avoid the danger which might result from the too abundant secretion of
milk at this time, which high feeding would tend to produce. If at the
end of the fifth day after calving, no bad results have occurred, such
as milk fever, and there is little or no caking of the bag, I begin to
gradually increase the feed, until, at the tenth day, I reach the normal
standard, which is as follows: