1894.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 41 



Results of the Experiment. 



There is a gradual decline in the yield of milk in case of 

 four out of the six cows, owing to a rather advanced period 

 of lactation. Nevertheless, it is to l)e observed that all 

 three rations produced a very fair yield of milk, but the cost 

 of the same differs. The average cost per quart for the six 

 cows in the second feeding period, where rowen was the 

 coarse feed, was 2.60 cents. In the first feeding period, 

 where green vetch and oats was the chief coarse fodder, the 

 average cost in case of five cows was 2.19 cents per quart ; 

 while in the third period, where green fodder corn was the 

 chief coarse fodder, the average cost for the six cows was 

 2.30 cents per quart. In case, therefore, of feeding periods 

 I. and III., milk is produced at an average price of 2^ cents 

 per quart, which is fairly low, considering the advanced 

 period of lactation of three of the cows. In feeding period 

 II., on the other hand, the milk cost 2.60 cents per quart, 

 which shows that other cheaper coarse fodders must be sub- 

 stituted for the costly hay in order to produce milk at a 

 mhiimum cost. 



As far as the effect of feed upon the quality of the milk is 

 concerned, there appears to be no distinct steady increase or 

 decrease in composition. Variations are noticeable, gener- 

 ally slight ones, from week to week in the composition of 

 each cow's milk. In one or two cases these differences are 

 quite marked, being as high as one per cent, in case of fat ; 

 but it is plainly evident that such variations are brought 

 about by the condition of the animal, and not by particular 

 influence of the feed. 



Tlie results in previous years, with soja-bean. Southern 

 cow-pea, serradella, green rye and peas and oats have already 

 been published. They point out clearly the fact that a M^ell- 

 regulated system of feeding the dairy stock during the sum- 

 mer is necessary in order to secure the most satisfactory 

 results. 



