368 BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE. 



This quality of wheat bran, which is of a fair composi- 

 tioD, has been used in the previously described feeding ex- 

 periments. 



2. Notes ox Feeding Experiments with Gluten Meal 

 AS A Constituent of the Daily Diet of Milch Cows. 



The experiment was instituted for the purpose of study- 

 ing the effect of gluten meal as a constituent of the daily 

 diet of milch cows, on the quantity and the quality of milk 

 obtained, as well as on the cost of its production under sev- 

 eral specified circumstances. The same cows whiclf served 

 in the previous trial with corn ensilage, Indian meal, wheat 

 bran and hay, were used in that with gluten meal. 



The observations extended over a period of three months. 

 The third period of feeding was not extended beyond two 

 weeks, on account of the bad influence of a too liberal sup- 

 ply of nitrogenous constituents in the daily diet, during very 

 warm weather, on the general condition of the cows. 



The mode of feeding was essentially the same as reported 

 on previous occasions. The gluten meal was fed with an 

 equal weight of wheat bran to compensate its deficiency in 

 phosphates of lime and magnesia, and to render it more pal- 

 atable. The designed amount of both substances was in 

 each instance mixed and moistened, and fed in two meals 

 during milking ; the hay followed, mornings, noons and after 

 milking evenings ; care being taken to ascertain by weight, 

 before and after meals the exact amount consumed. 



The composition and the general character of the gluten 

 meal is described in a few subsequent pages. The cost of 

 the daily fodder rations used in these experiments, are based 

 on our local market prices: gluten meal, $22.50; wheat 

 bran, $23, and hay $15 per ton. Corn meal has cost, during 

 our trials, $28 per ton. It has been the aim, in our subse- 

 quent statement of results, to render prominent the control- 

 ling influence of the daily yield of milk on its cost under a 

 corresponding system of feeding. It will be noticed, in our 

 trials, that under nearly identical conditions, as jfiir as kind 

 of fodder and period of milking are concerned, the milk of 



