BULLETIN NO. 9, MAY, 1889. 



Cotton-seed hulls for fattening (pp. 3-15). — This is a prelim- 

 inarj^ record of experiments in this important liue. A ton of seed yields 

 900 pounds of halls, which until recently has been used for fuel at the 

 cotton-seed oil mills. Noticing that cattle in the neighborhood of one 

 of these mills were subsisting on the hulls, some private parties have 

 undertaken feeding experiments with them on a somewhat extensive 

 scale. 



The followiug is a sncciuct account of the luethods adopted: 



After comiug off the cars tlie cattle are put iu open yards for some time (about 

 thirty days), to become accustomed to feeding and to recover from the fever of shii)- 

 meut, which is always present, especially in those brought from Texas. This condi- 

 tiou is accompanied by high-colored urine. It does not prove serious. 



The diet at the start is 4 pounds of meal and about 23 pounds of hulls. The regu- 

 lar ration later is 8 i)ound8 meal and 2'i pounds hulls per diem ; this is fed half in the 

 morning and half in the evening. Kay is given once a week; if manure becomes 

 abnormally soft, the hay is increased. A constant supply of fresh well water raised 

 by steam pumps is on hand. The water-troughs aie frequently cleaned of algae which 

 collect on the bottom and sides. Salt is always accessible. The period of feeding is 

 about four months. About 1 per cent of the cattle scour, but there is no fatality from 

 this cause. It is attributted to the meal and not the hulls. 



Scouring cattle are treated by turning out of the sheds into the yard; they are 

 given hay and less meal but the ordinary ration of hulls is continued; perfectly fresh 

 water is supplied. The duration of scouring is one or two days. Some animals may 

 continue quite loose iu the bowels and yet gain iu weight. There is no recurrence of 

 the diarrhea. 



The cattle are released and turned into the open yards for a week or more before 

 shipment, and fed the same rations as before, iu troughs. They generally uuder these 

 circumstances feed at night and lie during the day. Cattle are weighed on arrival 

 and departure. None are fed during the summer mouths. They sell iu Chicago for 

 full price of Texas fed cattle of the best grade and they cau pass for corn-feed steers. 



This Station has begun a series of experiments on the same plan with 

 two steers and two heifers. Details of the progress of this experiment 

 are reported and the chemical composition of the cotton-seed hulls is 

 given. 



BULLETIN NO. 10, JUNE, 1889. 



Entomological notes, C. W. Woodworth, B. S. (pp. 3-18). — 

 This article contains directions for the use of kerosene as an insecti- 

 cide and a compiled account of the tarnished plant bug {Lyr/us pra- 

 tens is L.). 



Meteorological summary for three months ending May 31, 

 1889, (p. 18). 



Chemical fertilizers (pp. 18-26).— This contains general state- 

 ments regarding commercial fertilizers, trade values, analyses of seven- 

 teen fertilizers, directions for sampling fertilizers and the full text of 

 the State law regulating the sale of commercial fertilizers. 



