22 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



very encouraging sign, for it shows that the farmer really 

 wishes to know the butter-producing capacity of his cows, 

 and the efficiency of his separator, or Cooley creamer, in 

 removing the fat from his milk. To all who desire, printed 

 information is given, stating how to ascertain the yearly 

 butter capacity of dairy cows. 



Much of the milk and butter analyzed in connection with 

 our own experiments has been studied with a great deal of 

 care. We have estimated the water, solids, fat, casein, milk 

 sugar, and ash in a large number of samples. We have also 

 made a very thorough examination of 26 samples of butter 

 fat produced by cows employed in connection with our feed- 

 ing experiments. There have been determined in duplicates 

 or triplicates, volatile acids, specific gravity, melting point, 

 and the iodine number. 



Cattle Feeds. — Our feed law has now been in operation 

 about one and one-half years. We have made frequent in- 

 spections covering the entire State, and have published two 

 especially prepared bulletins giving the results of our in- 

 vestigations. We have endeavored to make these bulletins 

 as practical as possible, and judging from the way in which 

 the bulletins are received, it is believed that we have in a 

 measure succeeded. During the spring of 1898 a consider- 

 able quantity of adulterated cotton-seed meal was found in 

 various sections of the State. Printed slips of warning 

 were immediately sent to 100 newspapers in the State, and 

 a concise circular was also mailed to every grain dealer, 

 cautioning against its purchase. While meal of this char- 

 acter generally has a darker appearance than the prime 

 article, samples of inferior meal have recently been found 

 having quite a bright yellow color. A number of reputable 

 manufacturers now print a guaranty upon every package, 

 and purchasers are strongly advised to buy only the guar- 

 anteed article. The effect of the feed law has been to call 

 the attention of all manufacturers to the necessity of brand- 

 ing their products, and having them run as even as possible 

 in composition. Many of the more reputable manufacturers 

 are now placing a guaranty upon their feeds, and it is hoped 

 others will soon follow. 



