1890.] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — Xo. 33. 



15 



The commercial valuation of the fertilizino; constituents 

 contained in each fodder article is based on the following 

 market prices : i. e., nitrogen (per pound), 17 cents ; phos- 

 phoric acid, 6 cents ; and potassium oxide, 4| cents. Eighty 

 per cent, of the entire amount of fertilizing constituents 

 contained in the fodder consumed is considered obtainable 

 l)y proper management ; Avhile twenty per cent, is assumed 

 to be sold with the milk, and thus lost to the farm. 



The obtainable manurial value of the feed consumed dur- 

 ing the entire feeding experiment, deducting twenty per 

 cent, for the amount of fertilizing constituents lost in the 

 production of milk, is, at the current market rates, in every 

 instance, more than equal to one-third of the original cost of 

 the feed. In some instances it amounts to more than one- 

 half of the original cost of the feed consumed. 



Net cost of feed represents the sum obtained by subtract- 

 ing eighty per cent, of the commercial value of the fertiliz- 

 ing constituents contained in the fodder consumed, from the 

 total cost of the feed. Nothing but the net cost of feed is 

 considered in the discussion of the cost of production of 

 milk and of cream. 



An examination of the subsequent detailed description of 

 the experiment under consideration leads to the same con- 

 clusions as our observations in this direction during preced- 

 ing years : — 



1. The high nutritive value of fodder corn, corn stover 

 and good corn ensilage, as compared with that of English 

 hay, counting in all instances pound for pound of dry vege- 

 table matter, is fully confirmed. The general condition of 

 the animal on trial, as well as the quality and the quantity of 

 the milk obtained, point in that direction. 



2. To produce one quart of milk, using the same quan- 

 tity and quality of grain feed, required in every instance a 

 larger quantity of perfectly dried hay than of either fodder 



