REPORT OF MR. R. ROBERTSON 339 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



The steers on hand and in experiments number 34 head, as follows:— 



8 three-year-old stoers, short-hom grades. 

 8 two-year-old steers, short-horn grades. 

 8 one-year-old steers, short-horn grades. 

 10 steer calves, short-hom grades. 



EXPERniENT WITH DAIRY COWS. 



This experiment was carried on as in former yeai-s, to further determine the profit 

 or loss of a fairly good dairy herd, well fed and cared for, with the feeds consumed 

 charged at current market prices, and receiving credit for milk produced, the value 

 of which being established by the price received at the creamery during the season. 



The different feeds were charged at the following prices : Wheat bran, $20 per 

 ton; oats, $24 per ton; oil cake, $3-4 per ton; gluten-meal, $28.50 per ton; making 

 an average price of mixed meal ration, as per proportion fed to cows, of IJc. per 

 pound. Roots at $2 per ton, ensilage at $2 per ton, and hay at $8 per ton. 



The ration fed to cows in full milk was : Ensilage or roots, 50 lbs. ; meal, 9 lbs. ; 

 hay, 10 Us.; making a cost of 19* cents per cow per day. 



In summer months, while milking, they were charged $2.50 per month, and when 

 dry, $1 per month. 



When dry in winter they were charged $3 per month. Different quantities were 

 fed to different cows, according to their capacity to consume and produce, or period 

 of lactation, and charged accordingly. 



They were kept in the stable from November 1, 1903, to June 1, 1904, except on 

 occasional fine days, when they were allowed out in the yard. 



From June 1 to November 1, they were put out in the field the greater part of 

 the time, night and day, but kept in during cold or wet weather. 



They were fed, watered and milked each day at as nearly regular intervals as 

 possible, and by the same persons. 



The summer feed was practically all summer soiling crops, rye, clover, or oats, 

 pease and vetches grown together and sown at different times after July 15. They 

 were fed some hay, and after August 15, green corn. 



The milk of each cow was weighed at milking twice each day, and a careful record 

 kept of the number of pounds given. 



The percentage of fat in the miEv of each cow was determined by the Babcock 

 milk tester, and the fat credited to the cow; on the basis that 85 pounds of fat pro- 

 duces lOO pounds of marketable butter. 



The milk was sent to the Nappan dairy station, and the cows were credited with 

 the butter produced at the prices paid to all patrons of that station, which averaged 

 for the winter months 2-1 4-7 cents per pound, and for the summer months 20| cents 

 per pound, less 4 cents per pound for manufacturing and hauling milk, leaving 20 4-7 

 cents per pound for winter butter and 16| cents per pound for summer butter. 



The skim-milk was fed to calves and pigs, and credited to the cows at the rate 

 of 15 cents per 100 pounds. 



Of the 27 cows on hand Deceml>er 1, 1903. only 21 are reported as in milk. Of 

 the remainder, one died, some failed to breed ,and others were old and disposed of. 



The following table will show the results obtained during the year: — 



IG— 22J 



