30 



EXPETiniEyTAL FARMS 



6 GEORGE V, A. 1915 



DAIRY CATTLE. , 



The pure-bred dairy herds, us previously reported, are Ayrshires, Canadians, 

 (hicrnseys, Ilolstein.?, and Jerseys. All these herds have nVaue a normal growth during 

 rhe year, and have given satisfactory returns. 



The grading experiment with grade Ayrshires and grade Holsteins has been con- 

 tinue 1 with marked success, and the cows have given excellent retur^is. 



DAIRY CATTLE FEEDING EXl'ERIISIENT. 



Many new pha.^es of dairy cattle feeding experimental work have been taken up 

 during the year. Some of the results of these experiments are found in the detailed 

 report of the Dominion Animal Husbandman. Briefly, the lines of work studied arc: 

 (1) a continuation of the investig'ation of the value of molasses and molasses meals in 

 replacing a good grain mixture for milch cows : (2) an investigation of the value of 

 molasses in replacing succulent roughages, such as roots and ensilage; {3) the value of 

 the various grades of elevator by-products (screening's) for the feeding of milch cows; 



(4) the value of molasses in making some of the elevator by-products more palatable; 



(5) an inveistigation as to the value of the various patented calf meals as compared 

 with a good home-made calf meal, with nnd without whole milk, skim-milk, and 

 buttermiillv, in calf feeding. 



MILKIXG jMACIIINES. 



With the completion of the new dairy barn in the fall of 1914:, the Sharpies and 

 the Burrell-Lawrence-Kennedy milkin'g machines were reinstalled. A series of experi- 

 ments comparing these two machines with each other and with the best hand milking, 

 from the standpoints of commercial, bacteriological, and pathological values, was 

 started. This experiment will continue over a period of a year or more. Mention, 

 however, is made of some of the results to date in the report of the Dominion Animal 

 H'usban<dman. In addition to these two machines there are also being tried the Empire 

 and the Lister milking machines. 



DAIRY cow RETURNS. 



It will again be noted that the quality of the dairy cattle on the Central Experi- 

 mental Farm has made a marked improvement. The iiverage profit per cow has again 

 increased over $8 per head per annum. Particular attention is drawn to the fact that 

 many of the best cow^s have not completed their lactation periods at the end of the 

 fiscal year, hence the following table is no definite criterion as a comparison of the 

 breeds. The following is a brief summary showing the returns of some of the cows, 

 the profits being based on the following valuations: Butter, 30 cents per pound; 

 skim-milk, 20 cents per hundredweight; pasture, $1 per head per month; hay,' $7 

 per ton; straw, $4 per ton; green feed, $3'per ton; and meal, $25 per ton. 



