12 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



it had been used in some of our earlier feeding experiments, 

 and not on the assumption of its being the best possible 

 combination of fodder articles for milch cows. The actual 

 amount of hay consumed in each case was ascertained by 

 weighing out a liberal supply of it and deducting subse- 

 quently the hay left over. The statement made in our 

 records in this connection refers to the average consumption 

 of hay per day during the feeding period. 



The temporary changes in the diet, whenever decided 

 upon, were carried out gradually, as it is customary in all 

 carefully conducted feeding experiments. At least five days 

 are allowed in every instance to pass by, in case of a change 

 in the character of the feed, before the daily observations of 

 the results appear in our published records. The dates 

 which accompany all detailed reports of our feeding experi- 

 ments, past and present, furnish exact figures in that direc- 

 tion. This is in particular the case whenever such state- 

 ments are of a special interest for an intelligent appreciation 

 of the final conclusions presented. The weights of the 

 animals were taken on the same day of each week, before 

 milking and feeding. 



The valuation of the various fodder articles consumed was 

 based on the average local market price per ton in Amherst, 

 1886-1887: — 



To assist those not yet familiar with the various points 

 which ought to be taken into consideration when deciding 

 the relative agricultural value of fodder articles at our dis- 

 posal, the following short discourse on this subject, from the 

 preceding annual report, is here reprinted. The value of a 

 fodder for dairy purposes may be stated from two distinctly 

 different stand-points : namely, with reference to its influence 

 on the temporary yield of milk and the general condition of 

 the animals which consume it, and in regard to its cost, 

 i.e.y its physiological and commercial value. The relative 

 commercial value of a fodder article again depends on its 



