878 EXPEEIMEKT STATION EECORD. 



produced the largest yield of green substance per acre, was relished by the cows, 

 and was entirely satisfactory from the standpoint of milk production. Alfalfa 

 produced the largest yield of air-dry substance per acre, and the cows seemed 

 to hold up better in milk production when on alfalfa than on any other crops 

 tested. Oats and peas proved satisfactory as a soiling crop. Rye produced the 

 earliest soiling crop and gave a large yield of dry substance per acre, but under 

 average conditions it ripens too quickly to be most satisfactory. The different 

 forage crops tested seemed to have little, if any, effect upon the composition of 

 the milk. 



Studies in milk and butter production, A. M. Soule, J. R. Fain and M. P. 

 Jabnagin {Virffiiiia Sta. Bui. 110, pp. Ji'i. /?r/.s. 8). — The method of maintaining 

 herd records is described in considerable detail, with illustrations of tlie 

 sheets on which are kept the records of the quantities of feeds eaten and 

 wasted, the quantities of milk produced, and other items necessary for the 

 complete accounting of the individual cows. From the data thus gathered 

 records of the cows comprising a Holstein herd, a Jersey herd, a Guernsey 

 herd, and a grade herd are presented by monthly averages for the years 1905 

 and 1906. Individual records of a considerable number of cows in each herd 

 are also given. 



" In profit on milk the Holsteins led with $9.42 per individual per month, 

 the grades were second with $7.27, the Jerseys were third with $0.97, and the 

 Guernseys were fourth with $5.58. In profit on butter the Jerseys led with 

 $2.73, the Guernseys were second with $2.€0, the Holsteins were third with 

 $2.23, and the grades were fourth with $2.21." The Holstein cow with the best 

 individual record continued milking for 21 months, giving 12,498.4 lbs. of milk 

 and 524.24 lbs. of butter. The profit on milk at 20 cts. a gallon was $201.05 

 and on butter at 25 cts. a pound $41.51. In tlie average of 31 lactation periods 

 with Holstein cows each individual consumed 2,031.5 lbs. of digestible matter. 

 The cost of the food was $40.20, the production of milk was 0,050.8 lbs., and of 

 butter 204.4 lbs. The profit on milk was $114.41 and on butter $25.84. The 

 Jersey cow with the best record produced 7,115.8 lbs. of milk and 307.5 lbs. 

 of butter in a single lactation period. The profit on milk was $135.79 and on 

 butter $02.24. The Guernsey cow with the best record produced 7,117.4 lbs. 

 of milk and 402.1 lbs. of butter in a single lactation period. The profit on milk 

 was $98.92 and on butter $30.27. The grade cow with the best record produced 

 5,308.0 lbs. of milk and 240.1 lbs. of butter in a single lactation period. The 

 profit on milk was $90.43 and on butter $33.02. 



In connection witli the discussion of the performance of individual cows, the 

 records are given of a Holstein-Friesian cow for 2 lactation periods, of 4 of her 

 daughters during 8 lactation period.s, of of her granddaughters during 8 

 lactation periods, and of 2 of her grea't-granddaughters during 2 lactation 

 periods. In no instance was the average production per lactation period for 

 any of these groups less than 5,230.2 lbs. of milk and 215.8 lbs. of butter, and 

 in most instances it was much higher. 



In the author's opinion the results show " that where milk is the greatest 

 desideratum, the Holsteins will be a strong favorite; for butter making, the 

 Jerseys and Guernseys should have the preference, but for general purpose 

 work the grade herd will be found very satisfactory." " The record of the 

 grade herd shows quite clearly that [a profitable] one can be established in 

 a comparatively short time, provided cows of good average production are 

 selected and mated with the right type of sire. The record shows that grade 

 animals are often as profitable as the more costly pure-breds, and that for the 

 average farmer the grade is probably the most satisfactory animal, as the 

 establishment and maintenance of the herd will not be such a costlv under- 



