1895.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 51 



in milk, with an average weight of 1,000 pounds, could be 

 fed on such a food combination as Ration I. and not show 

 the effect of it in a very short time. The data given show 

 that the quantity of the milk was increased and the quality 

 improved, especially its fat content, by increasing the sup- 

 ply of protein in the daily ration. The poor quality of the 

 milk in Ration I. was due in all probability partly to the 

 lack of food and partly to the small amount of protein pres- 

 ent. The experiment teaches nothing new, as the investiga- 

 tors seem to think. It has long been recognized that when 

 insufficient rations are fed, and they are at the same time 

 especially lacking in protein, the milk of many cows will 

 show a decrease in quality. The fat has a tendency to be 

 more affected than the other ingredients. 



The experiment made at the Massachusetts State Experi- 

 ment Station about to be described in the following pages 

 is intended first as an object lesson to our dairymen, and 

 secondly it was made with a view of obtaining additional 

 information of an economical as well as of a scientific nature 

 upon this still somewhat disputed question. 



Plan of the Experiment. 



The experiment was divided into three periods, known as 

 Series I., II. and III. The preliminary feeding generally 

 lasted seven days, and the period itself fourteen. In Series 

 I. it required longer than seven days to get the cows 

 accustomed to the ensilage. In Series III. a and 6, the 

 periods themselves lasted but nine days. 



The distinct rations fed will be stated further on. In 

 Series I. «, 2.58 pounds of protein (N.R. 1 : 4.8) were fed, 

 and in Series I. 6, 1.31 pounds of protein (N.R. 1: 10). 

 The ration b represents the way a great many New England 

 farmers feed, while ration a is not far from the German 

 standard. In Series II. a, 2.55 pounds of protein were fed, 

 essentially the same as in Series I. a; and in Series II. 5, 

 2.24 pounds of protein (N.R. 1 : 5.8) were fed, rather less 

 in amount, and furnishing, consequently, a somewhat wider 

 nutritive ratio. In this period also we get a direct compari- 

 son of the relative effect of Buffalo gluten feed and corn 



