19181 DAIRY FARMING — DAIRYING. 277 



ease in the breeding stock. When such large numbers of eggs are Incubated, it 

 is probably more economical to use a composite incubator and a form of brooder 

 more easily inspected and requiring less attention than a number of small one<g. 

 The personal factor in chicken raising is emphasized. 



In 1913-14, 1,063 birds were fattened, gaining 1.23 lbs. each at a cost in 

 energy value per pound of 8,G50 calories. In 1914-15, 1,171 birds gained 0.94 

 lb. each at a cost of 6,750 calories. 



The fattening proved profitable in both years, but attention is called to the 

 fact that it requires skill, and a small holder must decide for himself whether 

 to fatten chickens or sell off the runs. 



DAIRY FAEMING— DAIRYING. 



Economy of production by dairy covsrs. — A comparison of large and small 

 cov/s in milk yield, R. I. Grady {Mo. Bui. Ohio Sta., 2 {1911), No. 10, pp. 33 ff- 

 S3S). — Data here reported were collected by the station from dairymen in 

 various parts of the State. These dairymen kept accurate records of the 

 amounts of feeds supplied and of the milk produced by each animal. For the 

 sake of accuracy, only the months November to April, inclusive, when the cows 

 were not on pasture, were considered. 



It was found that there was a steady and considerable increase in the amount 

 of feed consumed for each pound of milk, solids, and fat produced from month 

 to month as the lactation period advanced. Approximately three times as much 

 feed per unit of product was required in the tenth month us in the first. 



Comparing Holsteins and Jerseys, it was noted that when feed alone was 

 considered the Holsteins produced milk more economically throughout the en- 

 tire lactation period. The Jerseys had a slight advantage in economy of pro- 

 ducing solids and a decided advantage in economy of producing fat. On the 

 basis of digestible nutrients consumed, if the Jerseys were considered 100 per 

 cent efficient in producing milk, solids, and fat, the Holsteins were 116.5 per 

 cent efficient in producing milk, 93.4 per cent efficient in producing solids, and 

 74.5 per cent efficient in producing fat. When the amount of nutrients required 

 for maintenance was deducted from the total amount consumed the Holsteins 

 made a better showing. On this basis, if the Jerseys were considered 100 per 

 cent efficient, the Holsteins were 139.5 per cent efficient in producing milk, 112.1 

 per cent efficient in producing solids, and S9.2 per cent efficient in producing fat. 

 When production and feed consumption per 1,000 lbs. live weight of the animal 

 were considered, it was found that the Jerseys consumed 19.6 per cent more 

 dry matter and 18.2 per cent more digestible nutrients and produced 1.2 per 

 cent more milk, 25.6 per cent more solids, and 59.3 per cent more fat than the 

 Holsteins. 



The effect of open-slied housing' as compared with the closed stable for 

 milk cows {Pennsylvania Sta. Bui. I47 {1917), pp. 15-17). — Noted from another 

 source (E. S. R., 35, p. 571). 



Silage alone com.pared with silage and mixed hay as roughage for dairy 

 cows {Pennsylvania Sta. Bui. 147 {1917), p. 15). — Continuing earlier work 

 (E. S. R., 35, p. 571), cows were fed 1 lb. of grain per 3 lbs. of milk and all the 

 roughage they would consume. During the first year the milk yield decreased 

 0.14 lb. during the feeding pei'iod of 11 weeks when hay and silage were fed, 

 and 1.64 lbs. when silage alone was fed. In this test 45 lbs. silage per head 

 was fed twice daily to both lots and one lot received 5 lbs. hay in addition. 

 Wlien hay was fed in addition to silage, the cows consumed practically the same 

 amount of silage as those fed silage only. 



