872 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The value of silage without grain as compared with that of a mixture of corn- 

 and-cob meal and cotton-seed meal successively with hay. corn stover, and 

 corn silage for winter feeding of cattle designed for subsequent summer fatten- 

 ing on grass was studied with 4 lots of 5 steers each. In the 1.34 days in barn 

 the gain ranged from 0.08 lb. per head per day on corn stover and grain to 1.22 

 lbs. on corn silage and grain. In the 105 days the steers were on pasture the 

 greatest variation was also noted with these 2 lots, the silage-fed lot giving the 

 smallest gain 1.58 lbs., and the stover-fed lot the largest, 2.85 lbs. Considering 

 the test as a whole, the greatest gain, 1.43 lbs. per head per daj', was found with 

 the silage lot and the smallest, 1.11 lbs., with the concentrates and hay ration. 

 The cost of a pound of gain x-anged from 4.23 cts. with the grain and corn 

 stover lot to 0.45 cts. with the grain and hay lot. 



According to the authors, the results obtained substantiate the conclusions 

 drawn from earlier work (E. S. R., IS, p. 1153) and emphasize the importance 

 of grass as an adjunct in finishing cattle in the Appalachian region and the 

 high value of corn silage as coarse fodder for cattle which are to be finished 

 in the stall or carried through the winter and then fattened on grass. 



" Owing to the laxative tendency of silage, it has been found advisable to 

 feed a small amount of dry i-oughness. From 2 to 3 lbs. of shredded stover or 

 timothy hay have proven ample, and, in view of the gains secured, we would 

 not advise the use of larger amounts when the silage is of first-class qual- 

 ity. . . . 



" There was enough difference in the gains obtained in this experiment to 

 justify shelling the corn, but it is a question whether the practice would be 

 profitable one year with another. The gains from corn meal and corn-and-cob 

 meal were practically the same as those obtained from whole corn, and would 

 not justify the expense incident to grinding the grain. . . . 



"The cost of making a pound of gain was practically twice as much with the 

 stall-fed cattle as with those handled as stockers, but the conclusion should not 

 be drawn from this statement that stall-feeding will never be a profitable prac- 

 tice. 



"These facts justify us in I'ecommending farmers to build silos and utilize 

 silage in their winter feeding oi)erations, and it is believed that its extensive 

 use will give a new impetus to animal industries throughout the South." 



Pigs followed the cattle and it was noticeable that although the cattle fed 

 cotton-seed meal received approximately 3 lbs. per head per day the health of 

 the pigs following them was not affected in any way. 



The growing and fattening of beef cattle in Maryland, present status of 

 the industry and suggestions for its improvement, B. E. Porter {MaryUind 

 Sta. Bui. 121, pp. 19-110, figs. 6). — Data concerning the extent of the cattle 

 industry in Maryland, the advantages and disadvantages of cattle feeding 

 under local conditions, the relative merits of different systems of feeding, and 

 other general questions are discussed with special i*eference to Maryland con- 

 ditions and the possibility and desirability of developing the State cattle 

 industry. In connection with the work information was gathered regarding 

 the rations fed on 8 farms and the data are discussed with reference to feeding 

 standards and suggestions for improvement are made. 

 According to the author, 



" The amount of profit which a man is able to make is dependent upon the 

 man and his abilitj^ to master the forces about him. In the cattle business 

 one man does well by handling registered animals; another does better with 

 grades, and still another will do best by feeding and fattening what his neighbor 

 raises. When feeding cattle some men have made as much on stock at a 6 

 months' feed as others have made in a year's feeding. Such a result is not 



