64 



EXPEIUMENTAL FARMS. 



PAET I.— THE FATTENING OF CATTLE. 



Experimental tests in the fattening of steers were commenced at the Central 

 Experimental Farm iu December, 1890. The main object of the experimentu was to 

 obtain information on the comparative cost of fattening steers : — 



(1.) Upon a ration of which the bulky-fodder portion was mainly corn 

 ensilage, hay and roots ; 



(2.) Upon a ration of which the bulky-fodder portion was mainly hay and 

 roots; and 



(3.) Upon a ration of which the bulky-fodder portion was mainly corn 



ensilage. 



For the purpose of arranging such data as would be obtained from the tests, in 

 a manner which would be clear to the farmers and useful to thera in making a 

 comparison between the cost of feeding steers on the three different classes of 

 rations, a cash value was estimated for the component fodders in each. The prices 

 at which the several fodders were valued for the purposes of these comparisons, are 

 higher than the cost of production to the ordinary farmers, and may be higher or 

 lower than the prices which could be realized from their sale as fodders. 



The values at which the calculations for the different years were made, are as 

 follows : — 



Table I. 



The following table shows the rations which were fed in 1891-92. In 1890-91, 

 instead oi 2 lbs. of oil-cake in each ration, there were 1 lb. each of oil-cake and cotton- 

 seed meal. Otherwise the rations were the same for the two years. 



Table II. 



Feeding tests were continued during 1892-93 to obtain further data for a com- 

 parison of the economy of using the bulky-fodder portions of rations. No. 2 (hay, 

 roots and straw), and No. 3 (corn ensilage and straw). Instead of equal 



