814 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



perature of about 55° F. was compared with a temperature of about 45°. Notes are 

 given on the manner in which uniform temperatures were secured and on the effi- 

 ciency of the ventilation system of the university dairy barn. 



In three trials high temperature periods of two weeks each showed an increased 

 yield of milk of 78.8, 117, and 3.5 lbs., respectively. In the fourth trial a difference 

 of 88.85 lbs. of milk was in favor of the lower temperature, and in the third trial a 

 difference of 1.08 lbs. of fat was also in favor of the lower temperature. Two other 

 trials in which conditions other than temperature were not uniform are briefly 

 reported. An average of the results of all the trials was in favor of the higher 

 temperature. 



Causes of variation in the weight of dairy cows, F. H. Knobel ( Wisconsin 

 Sta. Rpt. 1904, pp. 149-154). — A study was made of the extent and causes of the 

 variations in the live weight of 6 cows kept under normal conditions for a period of 

 4 months. After deducting for a general average increase in the weight of the cows 

 during the period, the range of variation between the maximum and minimum was 

 found to be 30J lbs. 



A possible variation in weight due to all causes is placed at 42.47 lbs., which is 

 divided among the causes of variation as follows: Water drunk, 22.4 lbs., or 52.75 

 per cent; heat and repair material, 10 lbs., or 23.52 per cent; solid excrement, 6.37 

 lbs., or 15 per cent; liquid excrement, 2 lbs., or 4.7 per cent; and milk secretion, 

 1.7 lbs., or 4.03 per cent. 



Protecting cows from flies, C. L. Beach and A. B. £lark (Connecticut Storrs 

 Sta. Bui. 32, pp. 14, fig. 1). — The stable fly and the horn fly are briefly described and 

 remedies which have been suggested for relieving stock from their annoyance are 

 given. 



One of the proprietary remedies or ointments put upon the market as a "fly 

 remover" has been tested at the station for 2 years. Each year the dairy herd was 

 divided into two groups, care being taken to have the groups similar as regards age, 

 breed, stage of lactation, and productiveness. The cows in each group were treated 

 daily in alternating periods with the remedy. The average results for the first year, 

 in which one group was sprayed the first, third, and fifth weeks, and the other group, 

 the second and fourth weeks showed no gain in milk or fat production from spraying. 



During the second year the periods were lengthened to 2 weeks but reduced in 

 number to 3. Only the second week of each period was used for comparison in 

 order to eliminate the effects of the spraying extending over from one week to the 

 next. The remedy was efficient in removing the flies but exerted no influence on 

 the milk production. On several occasions a peculiar odor in the milk was attributed 

 to the ointment. It is concluded therefore that the annoyance of cows by flies 

 seems to be overestimated, and that while certain proprietary remedies may protect 

 the animals to a greater or less extent, their use has little or no effect on milk 

 production. 



Department of dairying, F. L. Kent (Oregon Sta. Rpt. 1903, pp. 29-33). — A test 

 was made of a proprietary remedy for repelling flies from cows. Four cows treated 

 during August and September gained 265 lbs. in weight, while 4 cows not treated 

 gained only 212 lbs. The shrinkage in the production of milk of 2 cows which were 

 treated was 10 per cent less than that of 2 cows not treated. 



Data are given for a feeding experiment in which 9 cows were divided into 3 lots, 

 one of which was fed silage; one, silage and hay; and one, hay, grain being fed in 

 addition in each instance. The results show no great differences in the 3 rations. 



Animal husbandry, J. Withycombe (Oregon Sta. Rpt. 1904, pp. 26-28). — A brief 

 account of an experiment in which a ration consisting of corn silage and a small 

 quantity of ground oats was fed to 1 cow from January 1 to April 30 to determine 

 wdiether a ration containing approximately the same quantity of protein, but com- 

 posed entirely of grass silage could be used for wintering dairy cattle. The conclu- 



