280 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



DAIKY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



Influence of fatness of cow on percentage of fat in milk, C. H. Eckles 

 (Missouri Sta. Bui. 100, pp. 183-202, figs. 12). — This contains records of tlie 

 station lierd in addition to tliose previously noted (E. S. E,.,- 23, p. 179), wiiicli 

 sliow tliat on a restricted ration the percentage of milk fat may be abnormally 

 increased for some time after calving if the cow is in a fat condition, and that 

 the percentage of milk fat gradually increases with the advance in lactation 

 for the cows moderate to thin in flesh. 



Data are also taken from the advanced register of the Holstein-Friesian 

 Cattle Association, and submitted as further proof that the percentage of fat 

 may be abnormally high when the cow is in a fat condition at calving. One 

 cow was entered in the advancetl register with an otficial test of 4.09 per cent 

 fat, although her average for the year was 2.76 per cent. Similar results are 

 recorded for Ayrshires and Jerseys. 



The following conclusions are drawn : " The percentage of fat in milk can 

 be influenced to a marked extent for the first 20 to 30 days by the fatness of 

 the animal at parturition. This influence appears to extend in some cases in a 

 less degree for at least 3 mouths. L'uderfeeding of the animal after parturi- 

 tion seems to be a necessary condition to bring about this abnormal percentage 

 of fat in the milk. 



Tests of dairy cows made for short intervals in the beginning of the lacta- 

 tion period can not be depended upon to indicate the normal percentage of fat 

 produced by the cows teste<_l." 



Age as a factor in milk production, F. L. Kent (Oreff. Countryman, 4 

 (1912), No. !), pp. 18-20).— l>aln are presented showing that the average yield 

 of 5 cows at the Oregon Station and 10 cows at the Missouri Station was heav- 

 iest during the fourth lactation period. 



Peeding experiments with dairy cows, C. I. Beay (Oklahoma Sta. Rpts. 

 li)10-ll, pp. 30-36). — On a ration of wheat bran, corn chop, alfalfa hay, and 

 silage the cost of milk per gallon was 11.2 cts. When on a ration similar to 

 the above, with the addition of cotton-seed meal, the cost of milk was 10.9 cts. 

 per gallon, but the quantity was slightly decreased. In another test of the 

 cost of milk production on a ration of bran, corn chop, cotton-seed meal, and 

 alfalfa hay the cost was 11.7 cts. \xiv gallon. On a similar ration, with silage 

 as a supplement, the cost was 10.4 cts. per gallon and the yield was slightly 

 increased. 



Investigations on the efEect of palm-nut cake on milk production, O. Kell- 

 NEK EX AL. (licr. Luiidw. Ut'ivlisuiiUe Innern, 1011, No. 2-'i, pp. Xlll+SJfS). — 

 This is the special report containing the comjjlete details of the work previ- 

 ously noted (E. S. K., 26, p. 109). 



The dairy farm from the view point of soil fertility, M. Kawashima 

 (Oreg. (Jountryinan, ^ (1912), No. 9, pp. 31-3o). — Data are presented to illus- 

 trate the dilferences in amount of fertilizing elements removed from the dairy 

 farm when the product is sold as whole milk, cream, cheese, or butter. 



The bacterial content of the normal udder, F. C. Harrison and A. Savage 

 (Rev. (Jen. Lait, 9 (1912), No. (i, pp. 121-131). — These experiments were under- 

 taken to ascertain the species of bacteria which normally occur in the bovine 

 udder, their mode of entrance, and their action and hygienic importance. 



Bacteria were isolated from the foremilk, middle milk, and strippings of 

 heifers and mature cows. The bacterial content appeared to be small, and 

 aside from the foremilk appeared to be practically limited to a few species of 

 white and yellow cocci. Micrococcus albidus and M. varians were predominant 

 in both virgin and mature udders. 



