DAIRY FARMING DAIRYING. 381 



trained less than tliis amount. DnrhiK the first half of the experiment 27 i)er 

 cent of the capons and 03 per cent of the pullets made average weekly gains 

 of less than 0.2 lb. The average total gain for the pullets was 4.609 lbs. per 

 head, for the capons 6.S7S lbs., and for the cockerels G.125 lbs. The eight 

 cockerels in this experiment, however, had been selected for their large size 

 and thrifty ai)pearance, but it appears that with birds of equal thrift the 

 sidvantage. so far as rate of gain is concerned, might be slightly in favor of the 

 cockerels over capons. 



Oil meal did not prove to be a satisfactory supplement for corn. Lot 5, given 

 a ration of corn and oil meal for 12 weeks, gained less than one-fiftlj as much 

 as lot 1. 



In a second experiment similar to the first, except that the birds were all 

 capons, were fed 19 weeks, and lot 5 was fed the same as lot 1 but was con- 

 fined to the house, the birds made average weekly gains of 0.244, 0.2.37, 0.23G, 

 0.242, and 0.201 lb. per bird, consuming per pound of gain 8.11, 8.61, 9.23, 8.16, 

 and 9.5 lbs. of feed and costing 10.11, 10.27, 13.19, 9.79, and 11.88 cts. per pound 

 of gain for the respective lots. The average shrinkage in killing was 0.508, 

 0.546, 0.561, 0.521, and 0.477 lb. per bird, and the percentage loss based on weight 

 before killing was 6.58, 6.98, 7.49, 6.77, and 6.55 per cent for the respective lots. 



The heaviest capons sold at the highest price per pound and the lightest at 

 the lowest price. This shows the advisability of growing the capons to as large 

 a size as possible, at a reasonable feed cost per pound of gain, before they are 

 marketed. In lot 5 the capons confined to small pens from the beginning of the 

 experiment, while consuming only 2 per cent less feed per bird, gained almost 

 17 per cent less per bird than did capons allowed range for the first 12 weeks 

 of the experiment. The cost of feed per unit of gain was 17.5 per cent higher 

 with the capons in confinement than with those on range. 



An average of the two experiments on a percentage basis, using lot 1 as a 

 standard for comparison and omitting lot 5, is, for rate of gain, 100, 98.2, 99.5, 

 and 94.5; for average feed consumed per bird, 100, 104.8, 115.4, and 98.1; for 

 feed consumed per pound of gain, 100, 105.1, 114.5, and 103.2; and for cost of 

 feed consumed per pound of gain, 100. 97, 128.7, 98.8. Lot 2, receiving a ration 

 which contained a constantly decreasing amount of protein, made a lower rate 

 of gain at a higher feed consumption per pound of gain in both experiments than 

 did lot 1, fed a ration which carried the same proportion of protein throughout 

 the experiments. Lot 3 consumed the most feed per bird and per pound of gain. 

 The cost of feed per pound of gain was 30.5 per cent higher with lot 3 than 

 with lots 1, 2. and 4. 



Essentials for growth of chicks, Helen D. Whitaker (Washington Sta. 

 Popular Bui. 91 {1915), pp. Jf). — A general discussion of the feeding and care 

 of chicks, including data as to weights of Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, and 

 Plymouth Rocks from hatching to five weeks of age. 



Wild fowl and poultry propagation (Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 250 (1915), pp. 

 Jf2-/f4. figs. 2). — Successful trials by J. G. Halpin in propagating quail and wild 

 mallard ducks are reported. It is .said that the mallard is easy to domesticate, 

 shows .special ability to .shift for itself. at even an early age, and makes rapid 

 growth. 



DAIRY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



[Milk production] (Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 250 (1915), pp. J,G, 7/7).— In a com- 

 parison by G. C. Humphrey and A. C. Oosterhuis of home-grown grains and 

 purchased protein-rich concentrates, one lot of eight cows was fed a home-grown 

 concentrate mixture of oats and corn 6:4; another lot, dried distillers' grains, 

 wheat bran, oats, and cotton-seed meal 3:3:3:1; and a third lot, dried dis- 



