330 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



Tlic Jersey herd, oh I ablished in 1911, has ahowa very marked imijrovemeut, 

 et^pec'ially during the latter part of the past fiscal year. 



GRADE HERDS. 



Grade Ayrshiies 17, including 14 milch cows, 3 heifers. 



Grade Holsteins 21 " 15 " 5 " 



These cows are kept for the following reasons : — 



I. To supply milk for dairy experimental manufacturing. 



II. To compare^the high quality grade with pure-hreds for economic produc- 

 tion and in their breeding qualities. 



TIL To continue the upgrading of these herds as in the dairy cattle grading 

 experiment on branch Farms. 



A few excellent heifers have been produced by these grade cows, and sired by the 

 excellent pure-bred bulls in the pure-bred herds. These calves promise even bettor 

 than their dams, whose first year's record on this Farm may be found under " !Milk 

 Records " in this report. 



FEEDING THE DAIRY COWS. 



The year 1913-14 has been most unsatisfactory for pasture. Grass started too early 

 in the spring, was severely injured by spring frosts, and suffered considerably from 

 drought during July and early August. The rains of September, however, made fairly 

 good pasture, but the loss of clover caused severe shortage, both as to quality and 

 quantity of pasture and hay. 



SUMMER FEEDING. 



As in previous years, the dairy cattle were allowed only a small area for pasture, 

 and were compelled to depend largely upon soiling crops and corn silage. As 

 pasture, there was available only a little over 19 acres. This afforded forage for nearly 

 a month, and was so charged. 



In July and parts of August and September, soiling crops, consisting of clover, 

 mixed peas and oats, and green corn, were fed either in the stables or in pasture. 



Corn ensilage for feeding in August had been provided in 1912. 



Meal was fed during the entire summer, as needed by cows in milk, and dry cows 

 and pregnant heifers in low condition. 



As formerly, during the early part of the summer, the cows were in the field dur- 

 ing the daytime and stabled at night, but during the heat of midsummer, and as flies 

 became more troublesome, they were housed during the day and kept in pasture at 

 night. 



WINTER FEEDING. 



The winter feeding was conducted under most unfavourable conditions owing to 

 the loss of buildings and foodstuffs by fire. Although a large quantity of splendid 

 forage had been well preserved for winter use, yet most of this was completely ruined 

 by fire. Of the 500 tons of corn ehsilage stored in the silos of the main barn, only 

 about ■''>() tons escaped injury by fire or subsequent spoiling owing to the loss of the 

 silos, which were of wood. All the hay and straw preserved for winter feed, amounting 

 to over nOO tons, was also lost. 



Tlie milch cows were kept in the sheep sheds until the first of December, when two 

 temporary structures were completed for the housing of the same during the winter. 

 All heifers and dr,y cows until this time were of necessit.y kept in the fields. However, 

 the cattle entered these barns in the fall in good flesh and, considering the Iiousing and 

 food conditions, did exceptionally well. 



Ottawa. 



