900 EXPEEIMENT STATION KECORD. 



Pork production in Montana, R. S. Shaw {Montana Sla. BuL S7, pp. 10, ])Iii. 2). — 

 Metliod.M of pit; feeding are discussed with special reference to Montana conditions, 

 earlier work at the station lieing quoted (E. S. R., 14, p. 74). 



The importance of sugar beets sujiplementing the grain ration was tested with 2 

 lots, each containing 4 pigs. The lot fed grain gained on an average only 1.5S lbs. 

 each daily during 50 days, the cost of a jjound of gain being 4.6 cents. The lot 

 receiving grain with sugar beets in addition gained on an average 1.64 lbs. daily, the 

 cost of a pound of gain being 3.8 cents. The former were given a heavy grain ration 

 of 9.11 lbs. per day and the latter a ration of 6.65 lbs. of grain and 4.58 lbs. sugai' 

 beets per head per day. It was calculated that in this test there was a net i)rofit of 

 114.12. An earlier test is also noted (E. S. R., 13, p. 274). 



Experiments on the effect of time of drinking water upon the digestibility 

 of feed, F. Tangl {Lamlw. Vers. Stat., 51 {IftOJ), No. 5-6, pp. .i29-:l5S, ,lSl-404).— 

 Using 3 horses as subjects the author studied the effect upon digestibility of drinking 

 water before eating, after eating, and during a meal — that is, innnediately after the 

 grain portion of a ration and immediately before the coarse fodder. In most of the 

 experiments the horses were fed oats and hay; in some cases hay alone, and in others 

 oats and maize with chopped straw and hay. Experimental data are recorded in 

 full. So far as could be observed the time of drinking did not have an effect upon 

 the digestibility of a ration of grain and coarse feed. It seemed probable that when 

 hay only was fed there was a slight advantage in watering after feeding. The time 

 of drinking exercised a marked effect on the amount of water consumed and upon 

 the amount of water excreted. The horses drank the greatest amount of water when 

 it was given after feeding, and the least when it was supplied before feeding. This 

 was especially noticeable in the morning, when water was sometimes refused if offered 

 before feeding. The excretion of urine was directly proportional to the amount of 

 water consumed. When it is desired to increase the excretion, the author recom- 

 mends water after feeding. The method of watering had no effect upon the amount 

 or qualitative composition of the feces. Body weight varied with the amount of 

 water consumed. Though the methods of watering tested were regarded as equally 

 good, circumstances may, in the author's opinion, make it necessary to adopt one or 

 the other. Thus, after severe exertion water should be supplied before the feed. It 

 is said that it is not desirable to change unnecessarily from one method of watering 

 to another, as some animals do not appear to be altogether indifferent to such changes. 

 It was found that whenever a change was made from watering after feeding to water- 

 ing before, the appetite fell off for some days and the ration was not as readily eaten 

 as formerly. A similar effect was not observed when the change was from watering 

 before to watering after feeding, or from watering after to watering during meals, or 

 when the change was in the opposite direction to the last. The author believes it 

 possible that the method of watering before feeding, until the animal becomes accus- 

 tomed to it, {ii'oduces a certain feeling of satiety. 



Contribution to the subject of the metabolism of inorganic material by 

 horses, F. Tangl {Landw. Vers. Stat., 57 {1902), No. 6-6, pp. 367-380).— Two experi- 

 ments, each made with 2 horses, are reported in which the balance of income and 

 outgo of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium was determined. In the 

 first ex])eriment the daily ration of each horse consisted of 8 kg. of hay, one horse 

 drinking 19.6 kg. of water and the other 26.5 kg. In the second test the daily rations 

 of the horses consisted of 5 kg. hay and 4 kg. of oats, the amount of water consumed 

 by each being.17.3 kg. and 22 kg., respectively. During the 5 days covered l\v the 

 first test the horses lost on an average 0.5 kg. and 0.63 kg., respectively, in bod • 

 weight, and in the second test, which covered 6 days, there were corresponding ;- -li.s 

 of 0.45 kg. and 0.72 kg. The results of the experiments are shown in the fo.' owing 

 table; 



