FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1915, Page 2

FARM AND DAIRY.

LINSEED IN CALF FEEDING. In the feeding of calves it is found that linseed meal or ' crushed linseed added to skim milk or separated milk is one of the safest and most economical substitutes for the 1 abstracted milk fat. Linseed approaches more nearly in composition to the solids of milk than any other food, and the oil which it contains, to the extent of 34 to 38, per cent., is easily digestible. There is, however, a risk in buying any grain or seed in the form of a meal, as it is difficult to detect impurities whe;; the material is sold in this condition. One of the commonest adultrants of linseed meal is ground linseed cake. The latter docs not contain more than one-sixth to one-third of tlie oil in pure linseed, and the , relatively larger amount of fibre in it renders it unsuitable for giving to young calves as a substitute for milk fat. Again, the meal of almost any cereal grain can be mixed with linseed meal in fairly large proportions before the substitution is likely to bo detected. The object of such admixture is at once apparent, in that linseed cake and cereal meals cost, roughly, about one-third tlie price of genuine linseed. The risk be obviated by purchasing whole linseed and having it ground at home, but the objection to this is the difliculty of grinding, owing to the linseed dugging the usual crushing mill used on the farm.

Whole milk should be fe'd <for at least one week. During the next week the change from whole milk co skint milk should ib,. gradually brought about. Substitute each day a regular proportion of skim milk for-the same amount .of whole ,milk withdrawn. The skim' milk should ha fed warm, from 0Q to MO degrees F. To replace the Tat removed from the skim milk as well as to furnish additional protein, is now the duty of the linseed, mixed with the milk in the form of a jelly. This jelly should he added in small quantities at first, and slowly increased. . Begin with a dessert-spoon ful in each portion, and gradually increase until about a cup fin is being fed night and morning to the tliree-months'-old calf. To prepare the jelly, boil or steep lib of linseed in water almost boiling until a thick paste results. "Another method of preparation is to take a half-cup of ground linseed in a quart of water, and allow it to simmer just below the tailing point until a thWk jelly is formed. Tt should be kept cool and sweet until fed.—The Dairy.