412 Feeds and Feeding. 



three each, the lots being as nearly equal in all respects as possi- 

 ble. One lot was housed in the stable except on pleasant days, 

 when an hour's exercise was allowed. On disagreeable days they 

 were turned out to drink and immediately returned to their stalls. 

 The lot subjected to exposure was turned into the yard at 8 A. M., 

 regardless of the weather, and returned to the barn at 4 P. M. In 

 a protected corner of the barnyard was an open shed furnishing 

 shelter, and under this the mid-day feed of hay was given. Evi- 

 dently the cows most exposed were even then under more comfort- 

 able conditions than are cows on many dairy farms at the North 

 during winter. The trial lasted 48 days, during which time the 

 exposed cows ate 512 pounds less hay, but 388 pounds more corn 

 meal and 368 pounds more bran than the housed lot. Despite 

 the extra feed they shrank 33 pounds in weight, while the shel- 

 tered lot gained 231 pounds and gave 161 pounds more milk. 

 Plumb, summarizing the result, gives the following financial 

 statement: 



Saving in cost of feed eaten $4 23 



Value of extra milk, 161 pounds 2 79 



Value of 231 pounds gain at 2.5 cents per pound 5 77 



Amount saved by sheltering three cows 48 days.... $12 79 

 Amount saved by sheltering one cow 48 days 4 26 



These results, showing the great importance of sheltering dairy 

 cows, stand in strong contrast with experimental data in regard 

 to shelter in winter for fattening sheep and steers. (561, 697, 750) 



631. Influence of work on quality of milk. The composition 

 and quality of the milk of two cows employed in plowing was 

 studied by Domic. * It was found that the composition of the 

 milk was but slightly changed because of the work performed. 

 The quantity of milk decreased 15. 5 and 10. 5 per cent, respect- 

 ively. The quality was impaired, its keeping ability being low- 

 ered, and the acidity increased 1 to 2 degrees. 



632. Effects of grooming. In experiments by Backhaus 2 with 

 cows, a difference of 2.5 to 8.3 per cent, in the yield of milk and 

 fat was noted in favor of grooming cows. 



* Milch Zeit., 1896, p. 331. 



2 Jour. f. Landw., 41, 1893, p. 332. 



