430 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The following are the total yields for the 2 lots for the periods during 

 which the feeds were compared : 



Yields of milk, hutter, etc., on leguminous and cereal soiling crops. 



The following conclusions were drawn : 



"The best results on quantity of products were obtained where rations with rela- 

 tively large amounts of protein were fed. Although one-seventh larger rations of 

 corn fodder were used than of those rations made up mainly of the legumes, the 

 lattergenerally gave larger yields of milk, of butter fat, and of solids in the milk. . . . 



"As a rule, the best crops for summer feeding seem to be those rich in nitrogenous 

 matter, or protein. Although smaller crops are usually obtained with the legumes 

 (clover, peas, soja beans, etc.) than with fodder corn, the fodder from the legumes is 

 richer in nitrogen and protein, ami a larger percentage of this protein is digested 

 by the animals, and hence these fodders are of more value in the production of milk, 

 cheese, butter, and beef. 



"Owing to irregularities in pasture feed, caused mainly by frequent droughts, it 

 becomes necessary to supplement such feed l)y the use of green fodders or silage, in 

 order to prevent serious shrinkage in the amounts of milk, milk solids, and butter 

 fat. A more extended use of fodder crops like the clovers, oats and peas, soja 

 beans, cowpeas, and barley and peas, is a matter that should receive the careful 

 attention of dairymen." 



A study of rations fed to milch cows, C. D. Woods and C. S. 

 Phelps {Connecticut Starrs Sta. Rpt. 1895, pp. 41-76). — This is a con- 

 tinuation of work previously reported in the Annual Reports of the 

 station for 1893 and 1894 (E. S. E., 0, p. 458; 7, p. 003). Two 12-day 

 tests were made of 4 herds on iirivate farms, containing from 10 to 14 

 cows each, there being an interval of 2 weeks or more between the 2 

 tests. The method was the same as iu previous studies. During the 

 first test the rations fed by the farmers were studied and calculated, and 

 suggestions were then made of changes to make the rations conform 

 more closely to the feeding standards. After these changes had been 

 made the second tests were made. Information was obtained regard- 

 ing the number of animals, breed, age, approximate weight of each cow, 

 number of months since last calving, yield and fat content of milk, and 

 kinds and weights of food used. Samples of the feeding stuffs were 

 analyzed, and the digestible nutrients in each ration were calculated. 



