211 



(.■)) A varied ration, consist ini!; of ^vhoat bran, corn-and-cob meal, 

 coi'ii f(»(]d('r. timothy hay. and either sihiiio or mangels, produced gain 

 much more cheaijly (haii \vas done by corn-and-cob meal and timothy, 

 or by corn-and-cob meal and silage. It was not compared directly 

 with either the slielled corn and corn fodder or the corn-and-cob meal 

 and corn-foddei- ration; and to draw conclusions from indirect com- 

 parison would in this instance be unsafe, because the effect of the dif- 

 ferent feeds which the animals had received during the previous 

 period can not be measured. 



(G) Shelled corn ])roduced gain uiore chea]ily than did the same 

 value of corn-and-cob meah 



(7) Outdoor fattening was found considerably more expensive 

 than indoor fattcMiiug. so far as cost of food is concerned, even during 

 the exceptionally mild winter of 1888-80. 



A new form of recording desk (pp. 237-2:51)). — A modification of 

 the recording desk described in Bulletin No. 4 of the Minnesota Sta- 

 tion is explained and illustrated. The purpose of the modification is 

 to expose more of the record to view at one time. This is done by 

 passing the paper under a piece of stout glass tubing and upward to 

 a second roller j^laced about eighteen inches above the top of the desk. 



Food habits of the strh^ed prairie squirrel (Spermophilus 

 13-LixEATUs), C. p. Gillette, M. S. (pp. 240-244). — Examination of 

 the contents of the stomachs of more than twenty of these squirrels 

 indicated that injurious insects, especially cut- worms, web-Avorms, 

 and grasshoppers, constituted a large proportion of their food and 

 were preferred by them to grass, clover, and other green stuffs. It is 

 inferred, therefore, that lawns, meadows, and pastures are benefited 

 by the squirrels, and that if some method could be devised to prevent 

 their digging up the corn after it is planted they would prove a 

 decided help in keeping worms from injuring corn. 



BULLETIN No. 7. NOVEMBEIt, 18S0. 



Experiments with corx, R. P. Speer (pp. 247-260) .—This con- 

 tains notes on methods of preparation of the soil and cultivation of 

 the crop, the working of different cultiA'ators, subsoiling, surface til- 

 lage, drainage, and the action of manures. The characteristics of 

 several different varieties of corn are discussed at some length, with 

 observations on the effects of cross-fertilization, especially as seen 

 in experiments at this Station. The results of experiments in. 1888 

 (See liulletin No. 2 of Iowa Station) with reference to the tassels, 

 silks, and blades of different kinds of corn, which have been verified 

 in 1889, are stated to be as follows : 



(1) Tbe tassels and the silks of priinary oars appear generally about the same 

 time. 



(2) The upper central spikes of the tassels shed their pollen usually about 

 twenty-four hours before the pollen of their lateral spikes is ready to fall. 



