RELATIONS OF FEEDING TO FERTILITY. 45 



times, th.iii to pnrchase commorcial fertilizers in the form of super- 

 phosphates. Some of our manufacturers of fertilizers are usino" 

 cotton seed meal as a source of nitrogen, buying it at the low rates 

 prevailing and incorporating it in an improved form into their com- 

 mercial manures. 



QuESTiox. Is the reason of the small value of the dressinir from 

 turnips and beets, because the animal appropriates all the balance, 

 or wasn't there anything there? 



Sec. Gilbert. There was but little there, and that little was not 

 in the nature of fertilizing material. 



QuESTiox. Can we take that for granted right through these 

 figures? Is one thing worth more than another for feed in the same 

 proportion ? 



Sec. Gilbert. Certainly. 



Question. If the English hay was rotted down in the yart?,. 

 would there still remain the value of manure which you have men- 

 tioned, ot five dollars and fifty-eight cents ? 



Sec. Gilbert. Yes ; if the English hay is rotted down in the 

 yard, without waste, from excessive fermentation or otherwise, it 

 would then have the raanurial value which I have indicated, and- 

 eveu more, since it has not been reduced to supply the animal wants. 



Questioner. That seems to be a fact of some practical bearing, 

 for we are sometimes so unfortunate as to get our hay spoiled in the 

 field. 



Sec. Gilbert. I think we can show you this evening, a more 

 profitable course to pursue with that hay, and still reach the result 

 of saving the fertilizing material. 



Question. You have spoken of a difference in the feeding of 

 steers and fat beef; I would like to know how much manure value 

 we are likely to get from giving a ton of English ha}' to horses. 



Sec. Gilbert. Resulting fertilizing material from feeding a liorse 

 does not varv in any marked degree from that in feeding other kinds 

 of animals. In feeding a growing colt the resulting fertilizing 

 material would be about the same as it would from a growing steer, 

 provided you feed the same fodders ; and with a working horse the 

 result would be about the same as with a working ox ; in feedinar 

 the horse and the ox for fattening, the result would be about 

 the same in the two. 



Question. Po you think there is anything like that amount 

 saved bv our common farmers? 



