1G3 



A study of these analyses, in connection with a comparison of the other materials 

 fed, indicated that tliere were wide variations in both the amount and proportion of 

 food compounds sujjplied from month to month. 



Early in December various forms of concentrated feeds were bought, a chemical 

 analysis made of each, and a ration prepared which approximated closely in kind and 

 quautity of food compounds, the standard daily ration for milch cows of 1,000 pounds 

 live weight, viz., 0.40 pounds fat, 2.50 protein, and 12.50 carbohydrates. The ration 

 for the cows of dift'erent weights varied in the total amount of food supplied by it, 

 and not in the proitortion of the food compounds to each other. 



This ration was fed from December 15 till February 1, the superintendent making 

 such deviations from the actual amounts indicated as in his judgment the varying 

 condition of the individual cows might demand. * * * It was planned to have 

 three samples of the milk of each herd eacli week, and such samples of milk from 

 individual cows as might be deemed necessary. 



The followJDg table gives the average of the analyses of the milk of 

 the five different breeds, for each montli from August to January : 



The tables given in the bulletin show " (1) that the large quantity 

 of green fodder used under the conditions which existed the past sea- 

 son did not permit of a proper control of the actual food furnished ; 

 (2) that when conditions are such as to permit of a control of the 

 rations, a decidedly favorable influence is exerted upon both the 

 qnantity and the quality of the product. It would seem, therefore, that 

 •when the quality of the milk is of importance, green fodder, which at 

 best contains high percentages of moisture, should be used as a supple- 

 ment to the ration rather than for the purpose of furnishing the bulk 

 of the food. It is also shown that by a proper selection of materials 

 and balancing of food compounds, the cost of the rations may be ma- 

 terially reduced, while at the same time the yield and quality of the 

 product are improved." 



As on December 1 thirteen of the cows had been giving milk for 

 periods ranging from six to eight months, there was an increasing ten- 

 dency for the quantity of milk to decrease as the time of calving 

 approached. By substituting a ration consisting of 6 pounds of corn 

 and oatmeal, 6 pounds of w^ieat bran, 5 pounds of timothy hay, 8 

 pounds of turnips, 5 pounds of shredded corn stalks, and 2 pounds of 

 cotton-seed meal, the average yield of milk from December 15 to 31 

 was increased in three herds, and the quality of the product improved 

 in everv case over that of the first week of December. 



