44 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 262 



Table 1 — Pasture Season 1928 Compared with 1929. 



Yield of Hay per Acre — Pounds (12 per cent moisture basis) 



293* 61* 520* 2789 3206 



Milk Produced per Acre (Pounds) 

 3412 3875 1288 1127 3137 1694 1322 1480 



Additional Feed per Acre (Pounds) 



* Plots I to VI were mowed during July to remove grass which had passed the graz- 

 ing stage. This was weighed and credited to each plot. 



three thnes as long as the check and almost two and one-half times as long as 

 Plot VI and the hay plots. Plot VI and Plots VII, VIII and IX carried the 

 milch cows for approximately the same length of time, but the latter produced 

 an average of one and one-half tons of hay per acre in addition. Both Plot 

 VI and the hay plots were superior to Plot IV. The ratio for Group 3 was 

 very similar to that of 1928, being 6:4:6:2, with the hay plots again lowest 

 since the more succulent feed on these plots during July and August was re- 

 served for the milch cows. 



Unfortunately, some of the grasses, particularly on Plots I, II, and VI, 

 passed beyond the grazing stage and as a result, it was decided to mow all 

 six plots and credit the hay to each plot. This explains the hay yield on the 

 plots used primarily for grazing. 



The milk production, of course, was almost directly proportional to the milch 

 cow days, being three and one-half times greater on the grazed plots than on 

 the check in 1929, and two and one half times greater on these plots than on 

 Plot VI and the hay plots. 



In comparing additional feed, it should be kept in mind that the cows were 

 not on Plots IV and VI early in the season while still receiving additional 

 roughage in the barn or late in the season while being changed over to win- 

 ter feed, thus giving these two plots an advantage from the standpoint of cost 

 of additional feed. The fertilized plots were ready for grazing earlier in the 

 spring, showed a greater response to the fall rains by increased growth of the 

 grass, and furnished late pasture after Plots IV and VI had been grazed as 

 closely as was advisable. 



