EXPERIMENT STATION. 425 



FEEDING EXPEEIMENTS. 



C. A. GOESSMANN. 



1. Experiments with Milch Cows. 



The feeding experiments described within a few subsequent 

 pages were chiefly instituted for the purpose of studying the 

 feeding value of dried corn fodder (stover) as a substitute for 

 English hay, and of beet roots as compared with corn ensilage. 

 The observations made in this connection extended over a 

 period of nearly eight months, — November, 1885, to July, 

 1886. 



Two cows, crosses of native stock and Ayrshires, and both 

 from six to seven years old, served for the trial. They were in 

 the same milking period, four weeks after calving, at the 

 beginning of the experiments. The changes in diet, whenever 

 decided upon, were made gradual, to prevent any serious dis- 

 turbance in the general condition of the animal on trial. As a 

 rule, from four to five or more days were allowed to pass by, in 

 case of a change of food, before a record of the daily yield of 

 milk was made for the purpose of comparing the eflTect of 

 different fodder rations. 



The valuation of the various fodder articles consumed is 

 based on our local market prices, per ton, at the time of their 

 use: Good English hay, $15; corn meal, $23; wheat bran, 

 $20; dry corn fodder (stover), $5; corn ensilage, $2.75; 

 Lane's Improved Sugar Beet, $5. 



The daily diet of both cows consisted at the beginning of the 

 experiments of three and one-quarter pounds of corn meal, an 

 equal weight of wheat bran and all the hay they Avould eat. 



