810 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



fed shorts and tankage in addition to the corn made almost double the gain made by 

 the lot fed corn alone. When the financial phase of the question is considered the 

 differences are much more striking." 



Animal husbandry, J. Withycombe {Oregon Sta. Rpt. 1904, ]>■ ■->>)■ — In an 

 account of the work of the animal husbandry department of the station a test of the 

 feeding value of wheat chop and dried blood for pigs is briefly reported. In 50 days 

 a lot of 6 pigs fed wheat chop gained 460 lbs., consuming 5.24 lbs. of chop per pound 

 of gain. During the same time a similar lot gained 465 lbs., consuming 4.92 lbs. of 

 wheat chop and 0.74 lb. of dried blood per pound of gain. "The dried blood as a 

 supplementary feed with wheat was fed at a financial loss." 



Poultry feeding and fattening, G. B. Fiske {New York: Orange Judd Co. 

 1904, pp. 160, pi. l,figs. 43). — Chicken feeding, broiler raising, finishing and dress- 

 ing capons, American fattening methods, preparation for market, and marketing 

 turkeys and water fowl are some of the topics taken up in this concise volume on 

 poultry raising. 



The physiology of the gizzard of grain-eating birds, A. Zaitschek {Arch. 

 Physiol. [Pfluger], 104 {1904), No. 9-12, pp. 608-611).— In experiments with chick- 

 ens fed for 10 weeks with and without the addition of grit, both lots showed about 

 the same changes in weight. It is evident therefore that grit remains in the gizzard 

 for a considerable time. The amount of grit in the gizzard of the birds fed none dur- 

 ing the test was much smaller, and the pieces were more worn down and smoother 

 than was found with the other lot. 



In the case of intensive fattening of poultry, which lasts not more than 15 days, the 

 feeding of grit the author concludes is unnecessary, since the gizzard will contain 

 enough. 



DAIRY FARMING- DAIRYING. 



Experiments with dairy cows, D. H. Otis {Kansas Sta. Bui. 125, pp. 59-161, 

 figs. 44)- — This bulletin includes the results of investigations at the station for a 

 series of years and considerable general information on a variety of subjects. Some 

 of the more important points discussed are noted below. 



From statistics gathered by the State board of agriculture and covering a 'period of 

 10 years it is estimated that the average income of Kansas cows is $9.62 per head. 

 Data obtained from 82 creamery patrons showed a total yearly income per cow of 

 $32.86, the income from cows of the best herd being $54.38 and the poorest $18.04. 



In 1898 the station purchased a herd of common cows, the records of which, along 

 with illustrations of some of the cows as they appeared when purchased and later, 

 are given in this bulletin. The average yearly production was 6,288.58 lbs. of milk 

 and 251.24 lbs. of butter fat. The best 10 cows produced on an average 8,085.8 lbs. 

 of milk and 337.19 lbs. of butter fat, and the poorest 10 cows 3,484.62 lbs. of milk 

 and 142.08 lbs. of butter fat. The record of the best cow was 9,116 lbs. of milk and 

 383.7 lbs. of butter fat and of the poorest cow 2,463.1 lbs. of milk and 87.21 lbs. of 

 butter fat. 



At local prices for feeding stuffs the best cow showed a profit over cost of feed of 

 $40.37, and the poorest cow a loss of $4.53. The cows materially improved in appear- 

 ance by the good feeding and care received at the station. The effort is being made 

 to grade up this herd by the use of pure-bred Guernsey bulls. Nine cows selected 

 by practical dairymen were later added to the herd, and their records showing food 

 consumption and milk production are reported, as are also the records of the pure- 

 bred cows of different breeds kept at the station. 



Data are given showing variations in the weight of animals; comparative yields of 

 heavy, medium, and light cows; variations in the daily yield of milk; relative profits 

 from long and short lactation periods; and cost of keeping cows. Cows of medium 

 weight made the best records. The longest lactation periods showed the largest 



