DAIRY FARMING DAIRYING. 811 



profit. It is estimated that cows to be profitable must yield products to the amount 

 of over $5.95 above the cost of feed. 



Three dry cows, two 2-year-old heifers, and 3 calves were maintained for 1 month 

 on 4,232 lbs. of wheat straw and 992 lbs. of ground wheat, the average loss in weight 

 per head for the first week being 62 lbs. and for the month 13 lbs. At current prices 

 it is estimated that wheat and wheat straw may be utilized in wintering cows at from 

 $1.25 to $2.50 per head per month. Cows fed liberally on a ration containing plenty 

 of protein showed only a small gain in yield in changing from dry feed to soiling 

 crops or pasture, and no decrease in fat content. The possibility and economy of 

 producing dairy feeds on the farm is illustrated. Rations for cows producing differ- 

 ent quantities of milk are suggested. 



Notes are given on a number of pasture and soiling crops for cows. The experi- 

 ence at the station indicates that on the whole it is unsafe to pasture cows on alfalfa. 

 A test was made of an "alfalfa bit" designed to lessen the danger from bloating, and 

 somewhat favorable results were obtained which were believed to be due to prevent- 

 ing the cows from eating the alfalfa so rapidly. In a comparison of pasturing and 

 soiling it required 0.71 of an acre to support a cow on soiling crops 144 days, while on 

 pasture it required 3.63 acres for the same period. The cows on pasture produced 

 the most milk but also consumed the most grain. On the whole it was found possi- 

 ble to get over four times as much per acre by soiling as by pasturing. 



Notes are given on the results of feeding experiments with corn silage, alfalfa silage 

 and hay, clover, sorghum, Kafir corn, millet, and other crops, and also with different 

 kinds of grain. Favorable results were obtained in putting the first cutting of alfalfa 

 in the silo. Alfalfa hay was found more valuable than soy-bean hay. The experi- 

 ence at the station indicates that to a certain extent alfalfa can be made to take the 

 place of bran. It has been found profitable to feed about 3 lbs. of grain per head to 

 cows on pasture. • 



Considerable difference was found in the coagulability of the milk of different cows 

 by rennet, from which it is argued that there is considerable difference in the digesti- 

 bility of the milk of individual animals. It was found that the milk of one cow was 

 not coagulated at all with the ordinary amount of rennet, and feeding such milk to a 

 calf produced scouring. 



Notes are given on water, shade, and barns for cows. A remedy devised by the 

 station has been found quite effective in keeping flies away from cows. The mixture 

 was made by dissolving 1J lbs. resin in a solution of 2 cakes of laundry soap in water 

 by heating, adding J pint fish oil and enough water to make 3 gals. Apply with a 

 brush, or if used as a spray add \ pt. kerosene. 



The testing of milk, cream, and skim milk is discussed at some length, the Bab- 

 cock test is described, and considerable data are given as regards variations in the 

 fat test between the morning's and night's milk and during the lactation period, and 

 variations due to feed, excitement, being in heat, and other influences. 



Silage v. grain for dairy cows, C. G. Williams (Ohio Sta. Bid. 155, pp. 63-80, 

 figs. 4)- — A ration composed largely of mixed silage (corn, cowpeas, and soy beans) 

 was compared with one consisting mainly of grain. 



As actually consumed the silage ration consisted of 58 lbs. of silage, 6.8 lbs. of 

 mixed hay, 2 11 >s. of oil meal, and 2 lbs. of bran, and the grain ration of 4.7 lbs. of 

 stover, 6.4 lbs. of mixed hay, 2.5 lbs. of oil meal, 5 lbs. of corn meal, and 6 lbs. of 

 bran. The amount of dry matter was essentially the same in the two rations, 

 although in the first over 82 per cent was derived from the roughage and in the sec- 

 ond less than 43 per cent from the roughage. Ten cows were included in the test, 

 only 5, however, remaining for the full period of 4 months. 



The cows fed the silage ration produced 96.7 lbs. of milk and 5.08 lbs. of butter fat, 

 and cows fed the grain ration 81.3 lbs. of milk and 3.9 lbs. of butter fat per 100 lbs. of 

 dry matter consumed. It was also thought that the percentage of fat was main- 



