tained better by the silage-fed cows. On the silage ration the average net profit per 

 cow over cost of feed was $5.86 per month and on the grain ration S'_'.4H. 



As compared with the period preceding the test, cows fed the silage ration shrank 

 2.84 per cent in milk production and gained L.89 per cent in butter-fat production, 

 while cows fed the grain ration shrank 9.11 per cent in milk and 14.18 per cent in 

 butter fat production. The average u r ain in live weight of the cows in each lot was 

 respectively 47 and 57 lbs. per head. The results are believed to justify the con- 

 clusion that silage can be made to take the place of a considerable portion of the 

 grain ration. It is planned to continue the experiments along this line. 



Soy-bean silage as a food for dairy cows, F. W. Woll and G. C. Humphrey 

 ( Wisconsin Sta. Jlj/L 1904, pp- 67-74)- — Corn, corn and soy beans sown together in 

 the ratio of about 6 to 1, and soy beans alone were siloed, and the relative value of 

 the different forms of silage was tested with the entire university herd. Analyses 

 nf the crops and of the silage are reported. 



Data are given for the successive feeding periods of about 2 weeks each in which 

 the corn silage, the corn and soy bean mixture, soy-bean silage, and corn silage were 

 fed ad libitum, and also for a final period of 2 weeks in which the cows were pastured. 

 The mixed silage was eaten with nearly as much relish as the corn silage, but very 

 much less of the soy-bean silage was eaten, three of the cows refusing to eat any. 

 Notwithstanding an increase in the grain allowance during the soy-bean period, there 

 was a decrease in the production of milk and butter fat of all the cows without 

 exception. 



In addition to its being less valuable for milk and butter production than corn 

 silage, the following reasons are advanced against recommending soy-bean silage to 

 the dairy fanner of the Northwest: (1) Less food substance is obtained from an acre 

 of soy beans than from an acre of corn; (2) the soy-bean silage is not readily eaten, 

 the refuse amounts to about 10 per cent, and the rank odor is very unpleasant; (3) 

 the soy-bean silage has a had effect on the quality of the milk, butter, and cheese. 



"Soon after we began feeding soy-bean silage to our dairy herd, complaints were 

 made by the university creamery, where the cream separated at the dairy barn is 

 hauled, that this had a very objectionable flavor; it was found that this flavor would 

 contaminate a large quantity of cream, and that the butter made from the cream 

 would, likewise, possess the same flavor and render it unfit for a discriminating 

 trade. It was also found that the curd made from soy-bean-silage milk showed a 

 grassy fermentation, and possessed a sweetish, disagreeable odor when pressed 

 between the fingers. 



" Milk produced when soy-bean silage was fed was submitted to three judges for 

 criticism, with a number of other samples of milk of faultless flavor. Without an 

 exception the soy-bean-silage milk was discovered and was pronounced of poor flavor 

 by all the judges. We are confident therefore that the milk produced on soy-bean 

 silage could not be retailed without causing considerable annoyance to the dairymen 

 on this account. 



"In our system of feeding silage, this is always fed after milking time; the cows 

 are kept in a modern, sanitary, well-ventilated, and lighted stable; the mangers 

 are always cleaned out before the cows are milked, and the milk is removed from 

 the stable air as soon as drawn, and weighed. On basis of our experience with soy- 

 bean silage, we do not believe therefore that a satisfactory grade of milk or other 

 dairy products can be made when tins silage is fed to the cows." 



It is noted that breeding ewes became accustomed to soy-bean silage after several 

 days and, in the opinion of the shepherd, improved in condition during a feeding 

 period of 2 weeks. The objections made to soy-bean silage were not found to apply 

 to the mixed silage containing only a small proportion of soy beans. "According 

 to our present experience we may therefore consider this silage mixture an improve- 

 ment on corn silage, in so far as it furnishes a succulent, palatable feed, containing a 



