1112 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD- 



alfalfa-hay tea, the author notes, was decidedly laxative in effect, and it was almost 

 impossible to keep the calves from scouring. 



The relative value of different grains as part of a ration was studied in a number 

 of the tests. On corn chop the average daily gain was 1.59 lbs. as compared with 

 1.74 lbs. on shelled corn, and on whole Kafir corn it was 1.44 lbs. as compared with 

 1.58 lbs. on ground Kafir corn. Ten calves on a full-grain ration gained 1.34 lbs. 

 per head per day in a test covering 140 days as compared with 1.14 lbs. made by 

 calves fed a three-quarters grain ration and receiving more skim milk than the other 

 lot. 



A mixture of equal parts of shelled corn and ground Kafir corn was compared 

 with a mixed ration containing shelled corn, ground Kafir corn, whole oats, bran, 

 oil meal, and dried blood, the gain per head per day in the 2 lots being 1.74 lbs. and 

 2.02 lbs., respectively. In a test of the value of dried blood and of Blachford's sugar 

 with flaxseed the average daily gain was 1.69 lbs. and 1.77 lbs., respectively, as com- 

 pared with 1.77 lbs. in the case of a control lot fed practically the same quantities of 

 grain, skim milk, and coarse fodder. 



"Although dried blood serves an excellent purpose as a tonic, it did not prove, in 

 this experiment at least, of any particular value as a feed. The calves did not like 

 the taste of dried blood when used in large quantities, and when too much was 

 mixed with the grain they refused to eat the mixture." 



Satisfactory gains were made on the proprietary feed with flaxseed, but no better 

 than in the case of the control lot fed shelled corn and ground Kafir corn. 



The newly erected calf sheds at the Kansas Agricultural College are briefly spoken 

 of, as well as the advantages of different methods of tying calves. Some data are 

 also given regarding dehorning and the treatment of scours, and other questions of 

 calf management are also considered. Some of the general conclusions follow: 



"When calves are fed for future usefulness in the dairy, care should be taken not 

 to get them too fat. In the early part of the feeding period, when the calves are 

 receiving a large amount of skim milk and comparatively little grain, there is not 

 much danger of getting them too fat, but as the grain ration increases it may be 

 necessary to feed more nitrogenous grain. This can be done by changing a part of 

 the corn or Kafir corn for oats, bran, or oil meal whenever the calves appear too 

 fleshy." 



As regards the comparative merits of weaning gradually or at once the tests 

 reported show that there is practically no difference in the two methods, judging by 

 the gains made. 



"The results detailed in this bulletin ought to be a conclusive argument as to the 

 great feeding value of skim milk; they also indicate the possibility and even the 

 advisability of growing the feeds that are needed upon the farm, thus saving the money 

 that would otherwise be invested in high-priced feed stuffs. They indicate how it 

 is possible to realize more income from the cow and consequently greater income per 

 acre of land — an important feature as the value of land increases. The results like- 

 wise indicate the extravagance of letting a calf nurse a good cow. It will not only 

 eat its head off by the butter fat it consumes, but it may materially lessen the pro- 

 duction of the cow." 



Present methods of beef production, II, H. W. Mumford and L. D. Hall 

 (Illinois Sta.Circ. 88, pp. 7). — Various questions connected with the fattening of beef 

 cattle are discussed on the basis of replies received from a large number of corre- 

 spondents. Rating corn at 35 cts. per bushel and hay at $8 per ton the consensus 

 of opinion was that a margin of $1 to $1.50 per cwt. in selling price over cost price is 

 necessary in order that the returns may equal the expense of feeding. 



As regards the season preferred 46.5 per cent of those from whom answers were 

 received marketed cattle between December and March, while the remainder were 

 rather evenly divided in their preference for the other months. Over half the corre- 



