20a EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



gave it careful attention and brought it to a satisfactory con- 

 clusion. 



During the winter months digestion and metabolizable 

 energy experiments were continued with horses. A number of 

 by-products were tested, and several experiments for the pre- 

 ceding year were repeated. When the results of trials with 

 two horses do not agree, it is advisable to repeat the experi- 

 ment in order to make sure of the results. 



Digestion trials with the aid of sheep were conducted on a 

 number of proprietary grain mixtures, on oat feed and oat 

 hulls, and repeated tests with carrots. 



One experiment has been completed on cows with velvet 

 bean feed, and another with oat feed. 



Two experiments with lactic acid as an aid in promoting 

 growth in pigs have been completed. While lactic acid when 

 fed in small amounts (not exceeding .8 per cent in the slop) 

 may serve as an appetizer in some cases, its use in the experi- 

 ments conducted by us was negative in character. 



The results of all our experiments with velvet bean feed and 

 with lactic acid have been prepared for publication. 



Observations with forage crops were continued. Sweet clover 

 gave a satisfactory yield at the first cutting in June, but failed 

 to recover afterwards. During four years we have only suc- 

 ceeded once in getting a growth after the first cutting. As was 

 remarked last year, we fail to see any use for this crop under 

 conditions ordinarily prevailing in Massachusetts, excepting its 

 use in some cases as a soil renovator. 



The yield of Sudan grass was light, owing to the poor catch. 

 This has now happened for two successive years. In our judg- 

 ment barnyard millet is a surer crop and is to be preferred. 



The yield of dry matter on plots planted to corn, and to 

 corn and soy beans grown together, has been determined, and 

 this experiment, together with other data relative to corn and 

 soy beans, has been prepared for publication. 



2. Fertilizer Section. 

 The work of the fertilizer section may be summarized as 

 follows : — 



