418 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



PIIEVIOUS TREATMENT. 



Owing to the mildness of the fall weather the cows were turned out during 

 the day until about the first of December, when they were given dry corn- 

 stalks and meal twice daily. The three bulls had been let out during the 

 summer previous, only for exercise. 



During the month of November all the cows selected for the experiment had 

 lost weight except No. 4 (Stewart Queen 9th), she having gained nothing. 

 The bulls had each gained in weight. 



They were all in good or fair condition except No. 9 (Hermia 2d) ; she, hav- 

 ing dropped a calf a short time previous, was rather thin in flesh. 



TREATMENT DURING THE EXPERIMENT. 



The cattle were attended throughout the experiment by one person, and 

 pains was taken to secure regularity in everything pertaining to the feed and 

 care of the animals. 



The animals were fed regularly three times daily at 6:15 A. M., 11:30 A. 

 M., and 4:30 P. M. They were watered in the stall at 9 A. M., and had 

 access to water when turned out to exercise, from 3 1'. M. till 4 P. M. 



The milking was done just defore the regular morning and evening feedings. 



The animals were daily groomed with card and brush ; the stables were 

 cleaned and littered both morning and afternoon. Salt was given regularly 

 three times each week. They were weighed on putting up, and regularly each 

 week thereafter at 3 :30 P. M. The time of feeding consisted of periods of 

 three weeks each. 



FEED AND FEEDING NOTES. 



The rough feed was cut into one-fourth and one-half inch lengths by a 

 power cutter. The cornstalks, dried corn fodder, and hay were all of good 

 quality. The meal had 14 parts corn meal, 4 parts oat meal, and 9 parts wheat 

 bran by weight. 



During the second and third periods the bulls had daily one pound of oil 

 meal each, besides their regular feed of corn and oat meal and wheat bran. 

 One pound per day of oil meal was given No. 8 during the third week of the 

 first period. Exact notes were kept of feed given to each animal, and if any 

 "was left in mangers it was weighed and deducted from amount given. 



COMPARISONS BY LOTS. 

 Lot I. 



During the first period this lot had a daily ration of 15.95 pounds of meal 

 88.90 pounds hay, and 44.75 pounds roots. During second period 20 jjounds of 

 meal, 28.89 pounds of hay, and 42.89 pounds of ensilage. During the third 

 period 20 pounds of meal, 29.73 pounds of hay, and 69.77 pounds of ensilage. 



GAINS IN WEIGHT. 



Gain. 



I'irst period _ 187 lbs. 



Second period 83 "•' 



Third period 118 



a 



