1888.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



2. Feeding Experiments with Milch Cows. 



The experiments were chiefly instituted for the purpose 

 of comparing the feeding effect of a good English hay with 

 that of some reputed green fodders. The green crops used 

 in this connection consisted of a mixed crop of oats and 

 vetch, of southern cow-pea and of serradella. Some details 

 regardinsr the mode of cultivation and the ""eneral character 

 of these fodder plants will be found farther on in this report, 

 under the heading " Field Experiments." 



The feeding of the various green fodders bc«:an at the time 



O O O 



of their blooming ; they were fed in succession as stated 

 above, for they began to bloom in the order mentioned. 

 The feeding of vetch and oats ceased when the oats turned 

 yellow ; that of the cow-pea and serradella terminated with 

 the exhaustion of the supply from the first cut. 



The customary rules for the management of feeding 

 experiments, regarding the changes in feed, etc., were fol- 

 lowed in the same manner as pointed out on previous occa- 

 sions. 



Five cows served in the experiment. Two cows, Ida and 

 Lizzie, were fed during the entire trial with a daily ration, 

 consisting of "^ 



Corn Meal, 3^ pounds (2 quarts.) 



Wheat Bran, .... 3^ pounds (1 quarts.) 



English Hay, .... from 20 to 25 pounds. 



The amount of hay left over was each day weighed back ; 

 the printed detailed record below gives the average daily 

 consumption for each feeding period. Three cows, Eva, 

 Minnie and May, received periodically the same diet as the 

 first mentioned two. This daily diet was however replaced 

 at stated times by the following one : 



Corn Meal, 3^ pounds. 



"Wheat Bran, 8] pounds. 



English Ila}', 5 pounds. 



and as much of either green vetch and oats or green south- 

 ern cow-pea or green serradella as the animals on trial 

 would consume. 



