i86 



Journal of Agricultural Research 



Vol. X, No. 4 



Tabi^E V. — Records of reproduction and milk secretion showing influence of additions of 



salts to an all-corn ration 



There were no disturbances of an otherwise satisfactory ration by the 

 use of the salts in the quantities here imposed. Even magnesium addi- 

 tions did not disturb reproduction. It is apparent that a considerable 

 range of mineral elements, both as to quantity and quality, may be used 

 in animal nutrition without disturbances, but just what these ranges are 

 must be left for future investigation. It should be recalled that a corn- 

 grain and wheat-straw ration was made eJSicient by salt additions alone, 

 which would imply that the quantity of base-forming salts in that ration 

 was too low. Milk secretion was also undisturbed by these extra addi- 

 tions of salt to a com ration. Plate 28 illustrates the effect of these 

 rations on both cows and calves. 



INFLUENCE ON REPRODUCTION OF MINERAL ACIDS ADDED TO A CORN 



RATION 



It has been stated that a wheat and wneat-straw ration was of acid 

 character, the urine reacting acid to litmus. For purposes of thorough 

 acquaintance with the influence of such acidity on an otherwise good 

 ration, we added to an all-corn ration daily during gestation such quanti- 

 ties of phosphoric and sulphuric acids as would make the relation of acids 

 to bases approximately similar to that in a wheat and wheat-straw 

 ration. For this purpose there were added to 14 pounds of the all-corn 

 ration 30 c. c. (1.S8 sp. gr.) of phosphoric acid and 16 c. c. (1.84 sp. gr.) 

 of sulphuric acid. After dilution with water these were stirred into the 

 com stover daily, giving it an acid taste not unlike silage. There was no 

 trouble in the continued consumption of this ration. On this diet the 

 urine reacted acid to litmus and showed from 19 to 24 per cent of the 

 nitrogen of the urine as ammoniacal nitrogen, while on an all-corn ration 

 the percentage of nitrogen in the urine as ammonia nitrogen varied from 

 1.4 to 3.1 per cent of the total nitrogen, and in addition the urine was 

 alkaline to litmus. 



