58 EXPERlMExXT STATION. [Jan. 



the percentage of solids not fat showing a noticeable decrease. 

 One does not feel justilied, therefore, in drawing any positive 

 conclusions otlicr than to state that the chemical composition 

 of the milk was not in anv way adversely affected. Unfortu- 

 nately, ohscn-valions npon the fhivor of the milk were not made. 



Covchisions and Ohservahons. 



1. When potatoes are cut and fed in amounts np to 25 pounds 

 per head daily, they in no way affect the health of the animal 

 or the yield or quality of the milk. 



2. The feedino; should begin gradually, and when the sup])ly 

 begins to get low the amount should also be decreased grad- 

 ually. They should always be fed with reasonable amounts of 

 grain and hay; one of the concentrates should be fairly rich 

 in fat. If fed in too large amounts at first, or in excessive 

 amounts, or without the necessary amounts of other feedstnffs, 

 they arc likely to cause diarrha>a, colic and bloating. Such 

 conditions naturally disturb the entire equilibrium of the ani- 

 mal and result in loss of flesh, decreased milk yield and a gen- 

 erally debilitated condition. They should not be fed with malt 

 sprouts or molasses, and with only limited amounts of silage. 



BcsuUs of Foreign Ohserrations. 



Kellner ^ writes concerning the German experience in feed- 

 ing raw potatoes, from which the following is a resume: — 



An opinion has been handed down from earlier times, and 

 still more or less prevails, that raw potatoes cause inflammation 

 of the stomach and intestines, resulting frequently in digestive 

 disturbances such as diarrhoea, bloating, colic, and, in case of 

 young animals, lameness. Such disturbances he attributes to 

 the fact that exceptionally large amounts of potatoes were fed 

 — up to 100 ])ounds or more daily — without the addition of 

 suflicient amounts of other feedstufl's. The fact must not be 

 lost sight of that different animals are differently aifected by 

 raw potatoes. The most sensitive is the horse, then follows the 

 sheep, while the steer and cow are able to consume them with 

 less trouble. 



' Die Emiihrung d. Laiulw. NiUzthioro, fiinfte Auflago, pp. 327-329. 



