280 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



when tlie coaree fodder was a mixture of corn fodder or wheat i>traw, with either 

 clover or cowpea hay, the effect on the appearance of the steers was quite as marked 

 as upon gain in weight. 



The vaUie of a proj^erly balanced ration was studied with 4 lots of 4 steers each, in 

 a test beginning in December and covering 104 days. Lots 1, 2, and 3 were fed 6 lbs. 

 per head daily of corn with timothy hay, clover hay and corn fodder, and cowpea 

 hay, respectively, in addition. Lot 4 was fed cowpea hay only. On these rations 

 there was an average daily gain of 0.64, 0.88, 1.54, and 0.56 lb., respectively. In a 

 second test covering 80 days, made under similar circumstances, the coarse fodders 

 compared were timothy hay, clover hay, millet hay, sorghum hay, and clover and 

 corn fodder, 6 lbs. of corn per head daily l)eing consumed in each case in addition to 

 coarse fodder. The average daily gain per steer in the 5 lots was 1.00, 2.00, 0.37, 

 0.52, and 1.35 lbs., respectively. The author calls attention to the fact that the use 

 of leguminous hay to balance the ration was very satisfactory. 



Four tests on the effect of shelter on the gains made by steers fed heavy rations in 

 winter are reported. In every case the lots compared were fed similar rations of 

 corn and hay. In the first test the average daily gain of steers fed in barns was 1.47; 

 of those fed in sheds, 1.72 lbs. In the second trial corresponding gains were 1.85 

 and 2.3, while similar gains made by steers fed in an open lot were 2.29 lbs. In the 

 third test steers in barns gained on an average 1.67 per head daily; those fed in open 

 sheds 1.69; and those fed in open lots 1.78. In the fourth test the corresponding 

 values were 1.83, 1.97, and 2.09 lbs. The author calls attention to the fact that 

 better gains were made by the steers fed in sheds and open lots than by those fed in 

 barns, a result which was not expected. Inquiries l)earing upon the subject were 

 sent to a large number of feeders; over half of those who replied favored feeding in 

 open sheds, some 18 per cent favored feeding in l)arns, and some 23 per cent feeding 

 in open lots. As will be seen, the experience of practical feeders, as shown by these 

 figures, was in accord with the results of the tests. 



Feeding' problem this -winter, II. J. Waters {Bui. Missouri State Bd. Agr., 

 1 (1001), Xo. 7, pp. 16-34, figs. -?)• — Winter feeding and the comparative value of 

 different feeding stuffs are discussed and a number of feeding tests with cattle are 

 quoted. On the liasis of the data the author suggests rations which he believes will 

 prove satisfactory. Tests on the comparative value of tiihothy hay, corn fodder 

 (whole, shredded, and ensiled) are also reported, which covered in every case about 

 3 months and were made with steers weighing about 900 lbs. each. In no case was 

 grain fed with the coarse fodder. The data reported include the results of one test 

 with shredded corn fodder fed with clover hay, two with shredded corn fodder and 

 with ensiled corn fodder, and three with timothy hay and whole corn fodder. 



On an average 20.2 lbs. of timothy hay was eaten per head daily, the total gain 

 being 30.7 lbs. The average amount of whole corn fodder eaten was 25.8, and on an 

 average there was no gain or loss. On an average 20.6 lbs. of shredded corn fodder 

 per head daily was eaten, and there was an average loss of 11.6 lbs. On ensiled corn 

 fodder the average amount eaten was 58.4 lbs., the average gain 44 lbs. Similar val- 

 ues for the shredded corn fodder and clover hay ration were 25.2 lbs. and 58.4 ll)s. 

 The author notes that satisfactory results were obtained with ensiled corn fodder and 

 with the shredded corn fodder and clover hay ration. A numbei of his other conclu- 

 sions follow: 



" It is clearly shown that yearling steers may be carried through the winter with 

 practically no loss in weight and in some cases with a little gain on nothing but 

 whole corn fodder. With good timothy hay such cattle will make a small gain. . . . 

 From these trials it is perhaps safe to estimate that timothy hay is worth fully twice 

 as much as whole corn fodder pound for pound for wintering young cattle. . . . 



"When whole fodder and shreded fodder are compared the difference is surpris- 



