444 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



II. Feeding Experiments with Milch Cows : Green 

 Crops v. English Hay. 



The preceding annual report contains a record of feeding 

 experiments with milch cows, in which some noted green 

 crops were used in place of English hay. 



1887, — A mixed crop of green oats and vetch, of 

 Southern cow-pea and of serradella, served in that con- 

 nection. 



Five cows were engaged in the trial. Two cows were fed 

 with a daily fodder ration consisting of corn meal, 3| pounds 

 (2 quarts) ; wheat bran, 3;^ pounds (4 quarts) ; English 

 hay, 20 to 25 pounds. 



The excess of hay left over was weighed back, and sub- 

 sequently deducted from the original quantity. Three cows 

 received periodically the above-stated daily rations and 

 alternately the following : corn meal, 3^ pounds ; wheat 

 bran, 3^ pounds ; English hay, 5 pounds ; and as much of 

 either green vetch and oats, green Southern cow-pea or 

 green serradella, as the individual animal would consume. 

 They consumed per day, on an average, from 64 to 65 

 pounds of green vetch and oats ; of green Southern cow- 

 peas, 96 to 97 pounds ; and in case of green serradella, from 

 97 to 98 pounds. The feeding of the green crop commenced 

 in every instance with the beginning of the blooming period. 



The feeding of the different green fodders, in place of 

 three-fourths of the customary daily rations of English hay, 

 gave, on the whole, very satisfactory results. For details, 

 we have to refer to the Fifth Annual Report of the Station. 



1888. — The experiment has been repeated with some 

 modifications during the past season. A mixed crop of 

 vetch and oats and one of Southern cow-pea were raised for 

 that purpose. (See record of field C. in this report.) 



The quantity of green fodder fed at stated times is some- 

 what less in pounds than in last year's trial, on account of 

 the addition of gluten meal to our last year's fodder ration. 



The daily green fodder ration consisted of corn meal, 3^ 

 pounds ; wheat barn, 3^ pounds ; gluten meal, 3| pounds ; 

 English hay, 5 pounds ; and as much of vetch and oats or 

 cow-pea as the animal would consume, which amounted in 



