31 



Inspection of Milk Products. 

 Dried Buttermilk. 



The three samples collected were of good qualitj\ One pound of the dried butter- 

 milk is equivalent to approximately IJ gallons of fresh buttermilk. The price at 

 which it was sold is equivalent to about 2^ cents a quart for buttermilk as it comes 

 from the creamery. 



Milk Albumen. 



The term used is believed to be a misnomer, as the product carries, in addition to 

 milk albumen, a large amount of ash, principally lime and phosphorus. It is a by- 

 product from the manufacture of milk sugar. 



Home-mixed versus Commercial Rations for Dairy Stock. 



A study of the commercial rations offered in the retail markets during September, 

 1922, forms the basis of the deductions offered in this article. Forty-five samples 

 were collected, representing 30 different brands. The retail price at which they 

 were sold varied from $40 to $54 a ton, with an average figure of $48.37. Their 

 protein content varied from 16^ to 26 per cent. They were sold, so far as known, 

 as complete grain rations for dairy cows. Judging from the wide variation in 

 chemical composition, one is led to believe that the argument often advanced by 

 feed manufacturers — that ready-mixed rations are scientifically blended — should 

 carry very little weight. It is true, probably, that mixtures sold as complete grain 

 rations will vary as much in composition as those mixed by a group of average 

 farmers. 



In order to get at the relative economy of home mixing, prices based on retail ton 

 lots for straight by-products, such as are usually found at any well-stocked retailer's, 

 were obtained from a local dealer under date of Oct. 6, 1922. The prices given were 

 as follows: — 



Retail 

 Ton Price. 



Cottonseed meal, 36 per cent .......... $46 00 



Wheat bran .............. 29 00 



Gluten feed .............. 41 00 



Ground oats . . . . . , . . . . . . . 39 00 



Corn meal 35 00 



Hominy feed 36 00 



Linseed meal ............. 52 00 



By combining the above feeds in different ways, six mixtures are suggested which 

 contain from 19 to 25 per cent protein, and cost at the present market from $37 to $40 

 a ton, plus the expense involved in home mixing. 



