284 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



respectively. The author states that rice, which contains very little fat, was selected 

 in order to secure data regarding the importance of this constituent in the ration of 

 laying hens. 



"The ration including rice this year as last has given one of the most satisfactory 

 egg products obtained. The high cost of this food at the present time seems to pre- 

 clude its becoming a question of much practical importance whether rice is well or 

 ill suited as a food for egg production. . . . 



' ' The large egg product where rice is prominent among the foods used seems to 

 indicate that fat is less important than has been judged as the result of some of our 

 earlier experiments. Among the various grains, cleaned rice, as put upon our mar- 

 kets, contains least fiber, and rice is known to be the mo3t digestible of all the grains. 

 It is perhaps these peculiarities of this grain which account for its apparent good 

 effect on the egg product. ' ' 



Poultry report for 1904 {North Dakota Sta. Rpt. 1904, pt. 1, pip. 169, 170).—Briei 

 statements are made regarding the number of poultry kept at the station farm, the 

 eggs laid, stock on hand, etc. 



A hatching- experiment, W. F. Brittin (Eel. Poultry Jour., 12 {1905), Xo. 2, j>. 

 231 ). — The author tested the effects of rations with and without oyster shells on the 

 fertility of eggs hatched in incubators. In his opinion the results show that eggs 

 laid by hens fed no oyster shells hatched about 20 per cent more chicks than the 

 fertile eggs laid by the hens fed oyster shells. Apparently too much lime hardened 

 the egg shells and prevented good hatches. 



DAIRY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



Feeding trials with cows, J. L. Hills ( Vermont Sta. Rpt. 1904, pp- 462-511, 547- 

 584). — Feeding experiments conducted on the same general plan as in previous years 

 (E. S. R., 16, p. 1109) were designed to test the efficiency of a 2-lb. grain ration 

 for cows, to determine the feeding value of dried molasses-beet-pulp, India wheat 

 meal, and hominy feed, and to secure further data on the experimental error involved 

 in feeding trials. The trials extended over 25 weeks and included 53 cows, the indi- 

 vidual tests lasting 5 weeks and including from 4 to 14 cows each. 



Grain rations of 2, 4, and 8 lbs. were again compared, the results showing an 

 increase in the yield of milk of 8 per cent when the 4-lb. ration replaced the 2-lb. 

 ration, and of 14 per cent when the 8-lb. ration was fed. It is estimated that when 

 the 2 lbs. of grain was fed instead of 4 lbs. the saving in cost of feed was $4.02 and 

 the loss in butter not made was 81.28, and that when 2 lbs. of grain was fed instead 

 of 8 lbs. the saving in cost of feed was $7.57 and the loss of butter was $3.02. Taking 

 into account the value of the skim milk and manure, the figures in the first instance 

 become $4.02 and $3.33, respectively, and in the second instance $7.57 and $7.09. 

 The results in opposition to those obtained last year are therefore favorable to the 

 restricted grain ration. "The writer's judgment, notwithstanding this outcome, 

 does not approve a grain ration so very restricted in its nature." 



Dried molasses-beet-pulp was compared with wheat bran, with which, pound for 

 pound of dry matter, it was found to be equivalent in feeding value. A similar 

 comparison was also made with corn silage with like results. 



India wheat meal, produced locally from the seed of Fagopyrum tartaricum, was 

 compared with wheat bran and a mixture of cotton-seed meal and linseed meal. 

 When fed in small quantities the India wheat meal was considered a fair substitute, 

 pound for pound, for these 2 feeds. 



Hominy feed in comparative tests was found equal in value for milk production to 

 wheat bran, but inferior to gluten meal and a mixture of cotton-seed meal and linseed 

 meal. At market prices the hominy feed was not so economical as the gluten and 

 cotton-seed and linseed meals. 



