1908.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 103 



yielded at the rate of 2.35 tons to the acre. Unfortunately, 

 through an oversight, the weight of the second cutting (made 

 in early August) was not taken. The third cutting (made 

 September 19) stood about 2 feet high and yielded at the rate 

 of 1 ton to the acre. The weather was very bad during the 

 curing of this cutting, the hay standing in cocks under hay 

 caps for two weeks, being shaken out once during that time. 

 In spite of the bad weather condition, it was fairly well cured 

 and the animals ate it readily. The entire yield for the season, 

 on the basis of 15 per cent, water, must have been at the rate 

 of nearly 4i/'2 tons to the acre. In view of the results thus far 

 secured, the writer is inclined to advise farmers to try alfalfa 

 in a small way, to study its peculiarities carefully, and not to 

 be discouraged if success is not attained at the first trial. 



Cost of Rearing Dairy Stock. 



The station raises one or two dairy calves yearly to keep up 

 its herd which is being used for experiment purposes. An 

 account has been kept of the food cost involved, and, while 

 the data is not sufficiently complete for publication, it may be 

 said that from $40 to $45 represents the cost of food consumed, 

 when figured at market prices, until the animal reaches two 

 years of age. The animals have been pastured during the 

 summer and for the remainder of the year fed on first and 

 second cut hay, some silage and not over two or possibly three 

 pounds of grain daily. The grain ration has usually consisted 

 of a mixture of bran and fine middlings. 



