86 Bulletin 222. 



In the fourth year the cows remaining were returned to Mr. Gibson 

 and were treated practically the same as during the first period. 



A better idea of the system of feeding may be gained from a com- 

 parative statement for the four lactation periods, as follows: 



FOOD FOR THE FOUR LACTATION PERIODS. 



First Period, 1900. 

 Cows on the Farm of Mr. Gibson. 



The records were begim March 28, 1900. From this time until 

 the cows were turned to pasture, they received a moderate ration of 

 timothy hay with a very little clover in it, and about four pounds a 

 day of a mixture of gluten feed and wheat bran or middlings. On 

 May 16th the cows were turned on pasture. The pasture was low 

 and for the most part contained only natural grasses, and as the 

 season was a dry one was very scanty after July 1. The grain ration 

 was continued while the cows were at pasture until September 1st. 

 From this time, they received beside the very scant pasture only 

 what apple pomace they would eat. 



The ration, while hay was fed, furnished about 1.3 pounds of 

 digestible protein per cow per day with a nutritive ratio of 1.8. 



Second Period, 1901. 

 Cows at the University. 



The cows were brought to the university early in November, 1900. 

 They were then dry or very nearly so and ver}^ thin in flesh. During 

 the winter they were fed silage and hay ad libitum and a moderate 

 grain ration (about six pounds daily). As soon as they freshened, 

 which was in most cases in March and April, the grain ration was 

 increased till each cow was getting all she would readily consume, 

 and this was continued during the whole season both in the stable and 

 on pasture till the flow of milk diminished at the close of the lactation 

 period. The amount given was in most cases 12 pounds per day, 

 though one cow ate 14 pounds per day for three months. The feeds 

 were largely cottonseed meal, wheat bran, gluten feed, buckwheat 

 middlings and old process linseed oil meal. While the cows were 

 dry in the winter of 1900-1901, some ground oats and corn meal were 

 used. 



From April 1st to June 11th, 12 pounds per day of a mixture of 

 equal parts of cottonseed meal, linseed oil meal, corn meal and wheat 

 bran was fed. 



