Miscellaneous Studies Nutrition Problems. 97 



and did not appear different from others wintered in the usual 

 way. The calves from these cows were fleshy, strong, active, 

 healthy, and of more than ordinary size. This report excited much 

 discussion in the agricultural press at the time, but the practice 

 has never become general. 



119. Sanborn's studies. At the Utah Station 1 Sanborn main- 

 tained a calf for 6 weeks in winter on grain and milk, when, thru 

 its craving for roughage, the sawdust used for bedding was eaten, 

 causing death. Sheep were successfully maintained for several 

 months on grain and roots only. They shrank in weight at first, 

 but after the paunch was cleared of coarse food made fair gains. 

 A 2-year-old steer weighing 635 Ibs. was fed grain and water only 

 for nearly 8 months, at the end of which time it weighed 825 Ibs. 

 Rumination ceased upon the withdrawal of coarse food, and gains 

 were made on about the same amount of feed as pigs required. 

 Little water was drunk, and a larger proportion was voided as 

 urine. The first and second stomachs of the sheep and cattle so 

 fed weighed less than the average for such animals, the first stom- 

 ach notably so. When the steer was slaughtered the first stomach 

 was found hardly half full, and the blood weighed more and the 

 lungs less than the average. 



120. Davenport's findings. At the Illinois Station 2 Davenport 

 maintained calves on skim milk, with or without grain, for long 

 periods. A calf was fed skim milk exclusively for 7 months, by 

 which time it refused its feed, could not hold up its head, and ap- 

 peared nearly dead. When straw and hay were placed before it 

 they were greedily consumed, and 3 hours later the calf was rumi- 

 nating in contentment, thereafter making satisfactory gains on 

 mixed feed. In a second experiment a May calf subsisted on skim 

 milk alone until September, when, altho consuming 70 Ibs. daily, it 

 showed great unrest. Some grain was then fed in addition to the 

 milk, with still unfavorable indications. In October when hay was 

 offered it was greedily eaten, and rumination began some five 

 hours later. Another calf was maintained from June until Septem- 

 ber upon milk and mixed grains. By the latter date it evinced no 

 desire for feed and would not rise ; later it suddenly died. Altho 

 enormous quantities of milk or milk and grain were consumed, 

 there was no fat on the carcass or about its kidneys, and the mus- 

 cles, tho plump, were exceedingly dense and rigid. From these 



1 Bui. 21. 2 Bui. 46. 



8 



