1917] DAIRY FARMING DAIRYING. 173 



were mixed iu varying proportions with the mash. Yet the fowls consuming 

 the greater amounts of high-protein feeds laid no better. This would indicate 

 that fowls can not be trusted to balance tlieir ration. 



[Poultry investigations] (Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1915, pt. 1, pp. 2'Ja, 30a, 

 JtSaSOa) . — From investigations connected with the factors which inilueuce eg-4 

 production H. D. Goodale concludes that the prime factor essential for satis- 

 factory winter egg production from strong stock is early maturity. The rec- 

 ords of the station flocks show that, even in the case of birds of one breed 

 hatched from eggs from the same pen supposedly made up of birds of similar 

 breeding, the age at which the first egg is produced varied from 195 to oiW 

 days. The prime factor essential for high egg production, aside from early 

 maturity, was found to be nonbroodiuess. Data show that when a hen be- 

 comes broody her egg production decreases about 40 per cent. The effort is 

 being made to develop a nonbroody strain of Rhode Island Red hens. 



The work of the year indicates that chicks reared on new land thrive better 

 than those raised on land upon which chicks have previously ranged, even 

 if for only a short period of time. 



DAIEY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



[Dairy husbandry studies], F. W. Woll {California Sta. Rpt. 1916, pp. 5 J. 

 53). — Confirming results already noted (E. S. R., 34. p. 269), data obtained 

 during the year indicate that the feeding of barley does not tend to reduce 

 iiulk flow. It was found, however, that most cows do not do so well on barley 

 alone as on mixed grain rations. 



Heifers fed alfalfa and mixed rations dropped somewhat heavier calves 

 and produced during their first lactation period a marked increase in milk and 

 milk fat as compared with heifers fed alfalfa only. 



In an experiment with spineless cactus for milch cows, the amounts of the 

 cactus that the cows could be induced to eat were so small that the nutrients 

 supplied formed only an insignificant part of the rations. Analyses are given of 

 the cactus slabs. 



•Carrying capacity [of irrigated pastures], D. Hansen (L'. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bur. Plant Indus., Work Huntley Expt. Farm, 1915, pp. 14-16, figs. 2),— Two 

 milch cows were pastured for 164 days in 191-5 on three-quarters of an acre of 

 mixed grass irrigated pasture (E, S. R., 33. p. 429), during which time they 

 were given 882 lbs. of grain and 1,630 lbs. of alfalfa hay as supplemental feed. 

 During this time they produced 5,247 lbs. of milk and 213.7 lbs. of milk fat. 

 Valuing the alfalfa hay at $6 per ton, grain at $25 per ton, and the 213.7 lbs. 

 of milk fat at $52.07, there was a return of $48.20 per acre for the pasture. 



In testing the value of irrigated pastures during the first year after seeding a 

 quarter-acre plat was seeded without a nurse crop during the spring of 1915 

 with a mixture of awnless brome grass, orchard grass, meadow fescue, Kentucky 

 bUiegrass, perennial rye grass, tall fescue, and white clover. During the latter 

 part of the season this plat furnished abundant grazing for one heifer for 58 

 days, during which time a gain of 114 lbs. was made, an equivalent at 5 cts. 

 per pound of gain of $22.80 per acre for the pasture. No bad effects of the 

 early grazing upon the grasses were apparent at the close of the season. 



The cost of producing goat milk, E. C. Voobhies (California Sta. Rpt. 1916, 

 pp. 52, 53).— Two young purebred Toggenburg milch goats produced during the 

 past year 1,553.2 lbs. of milk containing 45.01 lbs. of fat, and 1.341.6 lbs. of 

 milk containing 38.67 lbs. of fat, respectively. The cost of feed eaten by the 

 goats during the year at ordinary market prices amounted to $12.64 and $10.71. 



