ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 175 



2 horses cadi, different mixtures of bran, oats, and oil meal were compared with 

 oats to determine whether a mixed grain ration could replace oats to any consider- 

 able degree v\ ith advantage. 



An average of about 20 pounds of grain was fed per head per day, with about 17 

 pounds of oat hay. In the 40 <lays of the test, losses in weight were noted on all the 

 rations except bran and oats, 1:1, apparently owing to the facl that the oat hay was 

 Dot well liked. 



As regards the relative economy of the rations, the author calculated that, except 

 in the case of the ration of oil meal and oats L: 10 which cost $1.25 per year more than 

 oats alone, substituting a mixed ration for oats would effect an annual saving ranging 

 from $2.92 with bran, oil meal, and oats 2: 1 : 10 to si 1 .*..".:; on bran and Mats 2: 1. 



The ration of bran and oats 2: 1 "may ho recommended as a good meal ration for 

 working horsee and is certainly very economical in comparison with pure oats." 

 The ration of bran, oil meal, and oats 2:1:10 "would be considered by most horse- 

 men as an ideal ration." At the close of the period, timothy hay was substituted 

 for oat hay and in every i ase the horses gained in weight. 



In a comparison of roots and silage, horses fed turnips in addition to oat-, bran, 

 and hay maintained their weight while the lots fed carrots, mangels, and silage, 

 respectively, lost somewhat in the 14 days covered by the test. A check lot fed 

 oat-, hay. and bran only gained somewhat in weight. 



The average amount of silage fed was 10 pounds and of roots 6 to 10 pound- per 

 head per day. The average amounts of meal and hay were 18 and 15 pounds, respec- 

 tively. According to the author, when such amounts of roots and silage are fed to 

 work horses, the results are not very favorable as the succulent feeds are laxative in 

 character. 



As regards palatability the turnips and carrots were most relished, with Bilage 

 almost as welcome, and mangels not at all in favor. 



"It was observed that fed in smaller amounts per day or fed to idle horses no evil 

 (•met- were noticeable. The roots or silage did not seem to replace any of the regu- 

 lar ration of meal and hay, and the feeding of these feeds was an added expense 

 rather than an economy. 



"Where fed to idle horses, however, or where fed to horses it was desired to put 

 in better condition, a small amount of roots— 5 to H pounds per (lay — has been found 

 beneficial, as serving to prevent digestion troubles." 



Report of the poultry manager, A. G. Gilbert (Canada Expt. Farms Rpb. 

 r.'t)',, pp. 28SS11, i>L 1). — Factors of especial interest with respect to poultry pro- 

 duction are discussed and data given regarding the effects of introducing superior 

 breeding stock into the Station flock, the stock on hand, the poultry exhibit at the 

 Central Canada Fair, the time of laying of pullets and old hens, the management of 

 the Station poultry, poultry diseases and similar topics, together with some details 

 of experimental work. 



As regards the effect of variety "experience has shown that where there is variety 

 in rations and care in feeding them, with requisite allowance for floor space, there is 

 little likelihood of egg eating or feather picking." 



Steamed lawn clippings were fed to the Station poultry stock three or four times a 

 Peek and eaten with evident relish. '"It is a very beneficial way of utilizing a form 

 Of waste. ( 'lover leaves treated in the same way are equally effective." 



The eggs laid by different breeds ranged in weight from 4.5 lbs. per dozen with 

 ordinary brown Leghorns to 13.75 lbs. with selected Buff Orpingtons. 

 In the f) or o months of a test of different cheap -ram mixtures the largest number 



was obtained with nine pullets fed twice a day a ration of 0.75 lb. of oats and 



Wheat 2:1 with roots. The smallest number oi ,■•_-_-> w a - obtained with a similar lot 

 fed mangels with a like amount of the same -ram mixture and a lot ivi\ beets with 

 a ration of 0.75 lb. of wheat and oats 2.1. 



7328— No. 2—05 



