— 162 — 



ter as affecting the value of the beets for food. The difference 

 above of a little more than four per cent, in the amount of dry 

 matter would affect the whole crop something like this : 



23.1 tons sugar beets, containing 13.82 per cent, dry matter, 

 will give a yield of 3. 19 tons dry matter per acre. 



31.4 tons mangels, containing 9.68 per cent, dry matter, will 

 give a yield of 3.04 tons dry matter per acre. 



So that as between sugar beets and mangels, as raised by us 

 this year, the yield of dry matter per acre is just about equal, and 

 the difficulty in starting and in harvesting the sugar beets be- 

 comes the main difference in raising the two crops. 



*THE EFFECT ON FOWLS OF NITROGENOUS AND 



CARBONACEOUS RATIONS. 



On July 2, 1889, ten Plymouth Rock hens, one year old, and 

 as nearly as possible of uniform size, were selected from a flock of 

 thirty -five. At the same time ten chickens, hatched from the 

 same hens mated with a Plymouth Rock cock, were similarly 

 chosen. The chickens were about six weeks old, health}' and 

 vigorous and of nearly the same size. Up to the time of pur- 

 chase both hens and chickens had full run of the farm. The hens 

 foraged for themselves and were given no food ; the chickens had 

 been fed corn meal dough, sour milk and table scraps. 



A preliminary feeding trial was continued for twenty -five days, 

 during which time both hens and chickens were confined, all to- 

 gether, in a fairly well lighted and ventilated room, and fed a 

 great variety of food in order that all should go into the feeding 

 trial as nearly as possible in the same condition. During this pre- 

 liminary feeding both hens and chickens increased in live weight. 

 The ten hens from a total of 44 lbs. 12 oz., to 47 lbs., 1.5 oz., or 

 3.75 oz. each, and laid 93 eggs. The chickens, from a total of 9 

 lbs. 15 oz., to 18 lbs., or 12.9 oz., each. 



*This article is condensed by permission from a thesis prepared for the 

 degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, by James Edward Rice, a 

 graduate of the class of 1890. The work was planned and wholly carried 

 out in the most careful manner, by Mr. Rice, under the immediate super- 

 vision of the Director. The results have been thought worthy of publica- 

 tion in the Station Bulletin. 



