276 EXPEKIAIENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



results show that the protein of the alfalfa rations, 78.2 per cent of which was 

 from alfalfa hay. was as satisfactory a source of protein for milk formation as 

 the mixed hay rations where 58.1 per cent of the protein came from the beet 

 pulp and corn gluten. No marked influence of the diuretic effect of alfalfa 

 was discovered on either milk yield or the milk ingredients. 



Exiieriments 4 and 5 compare alfalfa hay and rowen (hay from second cut- 

 ting of mixed grasses). The grain in both rations was the same, corn meal and 

 wheat bran (7:3). In experiment 4, alfalfa apparently increased the milk 

 yield 5.2 per cent, but in the fifth experiment there was only a 0.5 lb. difference 

 in the totals of the two rations. 



The milk produced per ItK) lbs. of dry matter consumed was in the case of 

 the alfalfa ration 97.7G lbs., and in the case of the rowen 93.77 lbs., while the 

 amounts of fat produced per unit of dry matter wei'e identical. In digestion 

 trials conducted in connection with these experiments, the digestibility of the 

 rowen protein was only GO per cent whereas the average of previous trials is 70. 

 The alfalfa protein was 72 per cent digestible. 



In experiment 6 a mixture in equal parts of alfalfa and English hay was com- 

 pared with unmixed English hay. Gluten feed was used as a protein supplement 

 to the latter. Corn-and-cob meal and bran formed part of each ration. The 

 milk yields totaled, respectively, 5.540 and 5,602 lbs., with only trifling differ- 

 ences in the milk solids. 



Experiment 7 was a repetition of the sixth except that corn stover was sub- 

 stituted for English hay in the alfalfa ration. The latter ration produced 8.2 

 per cent less milk and 8.G per cent less milk solids than the English hay ration. 

 " The writer is convinced that the milk shrinkage on the alfalfa ration was due 

 largely to the corn stover. While of good quality it was stooked out-of-doors 

 and brought to the barn every few days and cut fine before being fed. It varied 

 considerably in moisture content, depending upon the weather. If the stover 

 had been brought from the field in November and stored under cover, in all 

 probability more satisfactory results would have been secured." 



Proximate analyses are given of the samples used of mixed liay, alfalfa hay, 

 English hay, rowen, corn stover, corn-and-cob meal, corn meal, corn gluten meal, 

 corn gluten feed, wheat bran, beet pulp, and molasses beet pulp. Available 

 analytical data for green alfalfa and red clover at various stages of growth are 

 also summarized. The results of new digestion trials with alfalfa hay (2 

 series), red clover, and rowen are reported. 



The tabulations include the milk, the milk solids, and the fat produced by 

 individual cows in each experiment. For experiments 1 to 5, the nitrogen in the 

 milk is also tabulated individually. 



In summing up their work, the authors state that " in the light of our present 

 knowledge it is preferable, particularly in the Eastern States, not to use alfalfa 

 as the entire source of roughage for milk production, but to feed one-half alfalfa 

 and one-half hay, or two-thirds alfalfa and one-third corn stover, or 10 to 15 

 lbs. of alfalfa and 1 bu. of silage daily. Such combinations, together with a 

 grain ration of 10 to 80 per cent corn-and-cob meal and 20 to 30 per cent wheat 

 bran or oats or barley, ought to give quite satisfactory results." 



The value of com bran for milk production, J. B. TjIndsey and C. L. Beals 

 (Massachusetts Stn. Bui. 186 (1918), pp. l/f2-l,'>3). — To compare corn bran 

 and wheat bran for milk production two experiments are reported with 6 and 8 

 cows, respectively, each ration being tested by the reversal method during two 

 .5-week periods in each experiment. The basal ration consisted of mixed hay, 

 corn gluten feed, ground oats, and cottonseed meal. Four pounds of the appro- 



