G84 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The effect of some undetermined factors in experiments of this kind, 

 as short periods and the total quantity of food, is considered, and the 

 application and importance of metabolism experiments in the study of 

 this question is emphasized. 



The question of feeding standards is discussed at considerable length 

 and the point is made that "a physiological standard or a formula for 

 profit to feed in all cases is not only irrational but impossible." It is 

 believed that the amount of food should be varied in proportion to the 

 milk yield and to suit the stage of lactation. In accordance with this 

 belief rations are proposed "with the plan in view of utilizing home- 

 grown nitrogenous feeding stuffs and of supplementing these mainly by 

 the addition of concentrated nitrogenous feeds, the latter to be increased 

 in accordance with the milk production." In the case of each ration a 

 basal ration is given for cows producing from 10 to 20 lbs. of milk per 

 day. For all cows giving over 20 lbs. of milk per day there is added 

 to this basal ration 1 lb. of a protein mixture (furnishing 0.3 lb. of 

 digestible protein) for each 5 lbs. increase in the milk flow. The rations 

 are calculated for cows weighing from 750 to 950 lbs. and would prob- 

 ably require to be increased for heavier cows. In the case of each 

 ration the components of the basal ration and the protein mixture, with 

 the amounts of digestible nutrients furnished, are given. The rations 

 are adapted to different conditions with respect to the feeding stuffs 

 grown on the farm. 



Dairy rations, F. L. Kent {Oregon Sta. Bui. 54, pp. 12-16). — Four 

 cows were fed for periods of 15 days each on the following rations: 



Ration 1. Corn silage 25 lbs., clover hay 10 lbs., bran 6 lbs. 



Ration 2. Com silage 25 lbs., clover bay 10 lbs., bran 5 lbs., oat chop 3 lbs 



Ration 3. Corn silage 40 lbs., clover hay 5 lbs. 



Ration 4. Clover bay 15 lbs., bran 5 lbs., oat chop 2 lbs., carrots 8 lbs. 



Ration 5. Clover bay 15 lbs., bran 5 lbs., oat chop 3 lbs., shorts 2 lbs. 



" Of the 5 rations fed, No. 1 . . . is shown by tbe tables to be tbe most satisfactory. 

 Tbe cost of a pound of butter fat is low, only 10.4 cts. at a time when butter was 

 worth 25 cts. per pound in the market. ... In rations 1 and 2, Avhere silage was 

 fed in connection with grain and hay, butter fat was produced at a cost of 10.4 cts. 

 and 12.8 cts. respectively. In rations 4 and 5, where the silage, was omitted and 

 larger quantities of hay and grain fed, tbe cost per pound of butter fat was 16.1 cts. 

 and 17.4 cts. respectively." 



Root feeding, F. L. Kent (Oregon Sta. Bui. 54, pp. 17-19). — Feeding 

 a constant basal ration of clover hay, silage, and grain, a comparison 

 was made of beets, carrots, and mangel-wurzels, feeding about 21 lbs. 

 of each. Each ration was fed to 4 cows for 1 weeks. There were no 

 differences in the yield and cost of butter fat on the 3 rations which 

 could be attributed to the different root crops. 



"Very little difference was noticeable in the quality of the butter from the differ- 

 ent rations, especially between the rations consisting largely of carrots and sugar 

 beets. That from the ration consisting largely of mangels was not quite so high in 

 flavor, however, as the butter from the other 2 rations." 



