106 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



at the rate of 10 acres per head. Several experiments involving 

 more than 100 head" of cattle and a variety of feed comhinations and 

 conditions were carried out during- the fiscal year. 



In an experiment to compare velvet beans in different forms with 

 cottonseed mead for fattening steers, three lots of steers of 10 head 

 each were fed for a period of 98 days. 



At Jonesboro, Ark., records are being kept to determine the feed 

 requirements for growing purebred beef cattle. Three lots of 10 

 cows each have been fed different rations for 126 days and the gains 

 in weight compared. 



At the department's Iberia Experiment Farm, Jeanerette, La., 

 pilage made from corn, sorghum, soy beans, Japanese cane, sugar 

 cane, and sugar-cane tops, and mixed silages from these crops, are be- 

 ing tested as to their value for fattening steers. The value of adding 

 molasses to rations of silage and cottonseed meal is also being tested. 

 First and second cross Hereford native cows are being crossed with 

 Hereford and Brahman bulls to compare the value of their progeny, 

 both as breeding and feeding stock. 



BREEDING FOR MILKING QVALITY IN BEEF CATTLE. 



The 20-year experiment begun September 1, 1915, at Manhattan, 

 Kans., in cooperation with the State agricultural college, to deter- 

 mine to what extent milk production can be developed without sacri- 

 ficing desirable beef type is being continued with a breeding herd of 

 Shorthorn cattle. 



BEEF PRODUCTION ON THE RANGE. 



Surveys similar to those made in the Corn Belt are being made 

 to determine the basic requirements in feed, labor, and miscellaneous 

 items involved in the growing and raising of beef cattle in the West- 

 ern and Southwestern range States. Work is well under way in 

 Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. 



An extensive survey was made of the production of Brahman 

 cattle in Texas. In addition to the investigation of the herds that 

 are devoted to the production of breeding stock, attention was given 

 to ranching concerns that are using Brahman bulls on native grade 

 Hereford and grade Shorthorn cows, with a view of determining the 

 most desirable crosses and the possible adaptation of Brahman cattle 

 to other than Gulf coast ranges. 



A representative of the division was detailed for duty with a spe- 

 cial livestock train making a 30-day trip through Mexico in Novem- 

 ber and December. The train carried consignments of livestock 

 of Texas breeders. Exhibitions were held in eight cities. Live- 

 stock conditions were studied with special reference to the supply 

 and possible future demand for breeding stock in Mexico. 



SWINE INVESTIGATIONS. 



The principal investigational work with swine is conducted at the 

 bureau's experiment farm, Beltsville. Md., where on June 30. 1922. 

 there were 499 hogs and pigs representing the six principal breeds 

 of swine, together with representative animals of the so-called Piney 

 Woods rooter type and crossbred animals which are used in special 



