1889.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT— No. 4. 427 



in most instances the average values of a series of actual 

 tests, and are for this reason applicable for mere economical 

 questions. As soon as our home observations shall have 

 furnished sufficient material to enable us to establish reliable 

 average values, they will be substituted. 



Local Market Value of Feed used in our Calculations . 



An examination of the subsequent tabular statement of 

 the details of the late experiment cannot fail to show that 

 the conclusions drawn from our preceding observation in 

 this direction are in the main fully sustained. 



The high nutritive value of fodder corn, good corn ensi- 

 lage and corn stover, as compared with that of English hay, 

 counting in all instances pound for pound of dry vegetable 

 matter, is fully confirmed. The general condition of the 

 animals on trial, as well as the quality of the milk, point 

 in that direction. 



The daily yield of milk decreased gradually, apparently 

 at a normal rate, during the progress of the experiment. 

 The shrinkage in the yield of milk amounted, at the close of 

 the trial, in the case of different cows of different milkinsr 



o 



periods, to from 1.6 to 4 quarts per day. The weight of the 

 cows had decreased in three cases, and had increased in 

 three. 



The first cost of feed for the production of one quart of 

 milk in case of the same cow, is, as a rule, from one-half to 

 one cent less per quart wherever fodder corn, corn ensilage 

 or corn stover have replaced in part or in whole the English 

 hay. The first cost of feed for the production of one quart 

 of milk differs, for obvious reasons, quite seriously in case 

 of the same diet as far as different animals are concerned. 

 This difference stands in a direct relation to the daily yield 

 of milk ; the less the latter, the higher the cost of the feed. 

 A few results taken from our subsequent records may con- 

 vey some more definite idea regarding this important cir- 

 cumstance. 



