Feb. 2, 1920.] Ayricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 105 



Although the yields are very small at Inverell, compared with those 

 harvested in the district under average conditions, they show what can be 

 done with a small rainfall, suitable varieties, good cultural methods, and 

 acclimatised seed. 



The Llangothlin district usually is considei ed to have too short a growing 

 season for maize, but the results from the plots show fair returns, and even 

 better yields might be expected with a better season, acclimatised seed, and 

 the use of such varieties as Golden Glow and Brewer's Yellow Dent. If 

 these can be grown profitably, the district will benefit by being able to adopt 

 a suitable rotation crop, and so indirectly to improve the potato yields. 



At Tenterfield the new varieties outclassed the older variety. Early Yellow 

 Dent, but this may be due principally to climatic conditions, for the dry 

 spell in January seemed to aSect this variety particularly, owing to the 

 sensitive stage of growth it had then arrived at. 



Appetite as a Guide in Feeding Dairy Calves. 



Experiments have been conducted by the Agricultiu-al Experiment Station, 

 Iowa State College of Agriculture, U.S.A., to determine, among other things, 

 the effect of permitting growing calves to select their own feed, and the 

 relative palatabiUty of ground and unground grain to calves. Three calves 

 (two heifers and a bull), in growthy condition, were subjected to experiment 

 for two periods of thirty days each. They were given as much whole milk 

 as was thought to be suited to their needs, but skim milk was used to replace 

 part of the whole milk as they became older ; shelled maize, cracked maize, 

 whole oats, ground oats and other feeds were placed in separate compart- 

 ments of a feeding trough; a supply of lucerne hay of medium quality was 

 kept before them, and fresh water was kept in front of them for a few hours 

 each day. 



As the experiment progressed, the reduction in the allowance of whole 

 milk tended to narrow the nutritive ratio of the ration, and the calves com- 

 pensated for this by increasing their consumption of grains from 60-4 lb. in 

 the first period to 178-1 lb. in the second, and their consumption of high 

 protein concentrates (gluten, wheat and oil meal) from 91-3 lb. to 94-8 lb. 



Research Bulletin No. 51, reporting the results, remarks that the calves 

 preferred a much narrower ration than is usually thought sufficient. " In 

 this choice of a narrower nutritive ratio the calves were possibly correct. 

 The calves grew rapidly and gained in weight, but did not become too fat." 



A few points of interest may be mentioned : — 



Yoimg calves prefer whole maize ard oats to ground grains. 



Oil meal appears to be more palatable than wheat bran, while maize gluten feed is not 

 in favour with calves. 



Calves have the ability to vary their consumption of concentrates to comply with 

 their needs. For example, when whole milk is replaced by skim milk, the calves increase 

 their consumption of grains. 



The calves used in these experiments consumed a ration of much narrower nutritive 

 ratio than is generally recommended. 



Salt and charcoal were evidently desired by these calves. 



Water is important, even for calves to which milk is fed. 



