234 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 1914 



Herb Spice, Laboratory No. 11225. — Manufactured by the Durham Cattle Food 

 Co., Durham, N.H. The sample analyzed (in original container 1 ) was sent by a cor- 

 respondent in Morton, Ont., who states that it is retailed at $3.50 per 25 pounds. The 

 Uiita weuld indicate that it has a fairly high feeding value but do not allow of any 

 pronouncement as to its eondimental or medicinal properties. 



In the compounding of this class of feeds, known as eondimental foods, condition 

 powders, stock foods, etc., etc., a variety of ingredients are used. The basis may be 

 bran, wheat refuse and screenings, linseed meal, cotton seed meal and milling by- 

 products of various kinds and values. According to the nature of the feed basis so 

 will the percentage of protein, fat and fibre be; some of these preparations do not 

 contain more than 10 to 12 per cent protein, while others of a richer character contain 

 more than 30 per cent. To the feed basis certain chemicals and drugs in varying pro- 

 portions are added. These are all low-priced materials and comprise salt, sulphate 

 of iron, charcoal, sulphur, saltpetre, gentian root, fenugreek, aniseed, coriander and 

 licorice and possibly other spices of a somewhat similar character. These chemicals 

 and spices, it is held, impart certain medicinal properties to the preparation, acting 

 as tonics, appetizers, regulators, etc., etc. 



Our main contention with regard to these ' eondimental foods ' is that the prices 

 charged are far in excess of their value. All the ingredients used are low-priced, 

 most of them worth from 3 to 5 cents per pound, and none of them more than 10 

 cents per pound. The feeds could be comfpounded, if desired, at home for a fraction 

 of the price generally asked for the proprietary article. Secondly, we contend that 

 if the animals require medicine it would be cheaper and better from every point of 

 view for the farmer to purchase at the drug store what he wants and to treat the 

 animals according to their ailment, or, if the matter is one requiring professional skill 

 and knowledge, to procure the services of a veterinary surgeon. With srood and nutri- 

 tious feeds and their judicious use, there should be little need of eondimental prepar- 

 ations, as in cases of serious illness, as we have said, the ailment should be specially 

 treated. 



Corn Ensilage, Laboratory No. 13279. — This ensilage, forwarded from Alvinston, 

 Ont., had been made from ( White Cap ' dent corn. As received it was very dry and 

 of a pale-yellow colour; evidently the corn had been cut when fairly ripe, and later 

 than is customary for the silo. It was pleasantly aromatic and showed a fair amount 

 of cob and kernel. By reason of its low water-content (the percentage of water in 

 ensilage is usually between 70 and 'SO per cent), the protein, carbo-hydrates and fibre 

 are somewhat higher than the average. Considering all the data and its excellent 

 condition, it may be assumed to be fully equal to average quality ensilage — the 

 slightly higher fibre content being offset by the larger amount of protein present. It 

 was reported that the cattle ate it readily, with little waste. 



Com Ensilage, Laboratory No. 13686. — From St. Janvier, Que. The particulars 

 accompanying this sample are, briefly, as follows: The corn was quite green when 

 cut and contained very few cobs. The kernels appeared to be in the early milk stage. 

 The ensilage, as received, was in good condition and sweet. The data indicate that 

 the crop was decidely immature when harvested. As a result, the ensilage is watery 

 and of a lower food value than that cut at a more advanced stage of growth. Its 

 dry matter content is 14-31 per cent, whereas that of ensilage from corn ensiled at 

 the right stage of growth (seed 'glazing' and lower leaves turning yellow) is not loss 

 than 21-0 per cent. Similarly the protein, the chief nutrient, is considerably less 

 than an ensilage of good quality. 



Clover Ensilage, No. 13767. — Forwarded from the Experimental Farm Agassiz, 

 B.C. As received it was essentially clover stems, the percentage of leaves being very 



