44 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



a good warm pen in the barn, with bran and some oats and 

 skimmed milk. 



Mr. Bliss. Do you mean to be understood that in select- 

 ing males to build up the herd there is danger of doing harm 

 by selecting males of different families of the same breed? 



Dr. TwiTCHELL. No ; I would find the breeder whose 

 thought ran in practically the same lines with my own. Then 

 I would go back of the male and study his ancestors ; I would 

 find what was the production of his dam and grand-dam, if 

 possible. Seek to establish the fact of continuity. This 

 indiscriminate mingling of animals of diflferent families is, I 

 believe, the chief cause for the lack of uniformity in the 

 product. Build up by systematic breeding, and not by run- 

 ning after sons of phenomenal performers. 



The Chairman. It is nearly time to close the morning 

 session. Later in the day, perhaps, you will have another 

 opportunity to question the Doctor. Secretary Sessions has 

 something he wants to say to you. 



Secretary Sessions. I wish to call your attention to the 

 exhibit in the rear of the hall, which comes from the Massa- 

 chusetts Agricultural College and the agricultural department 

 of the Hatch Experiment Station. You will find there on 

 the tables sheaves and seeds of about twelve varieties of 

 millet, three varieties of soya beans, eighty varieties of pota- 

 toes and some thirty or forty varieties of corn. The varieties 

 of corn were grown in rows side by side and may be some- 

 what mixed, but the type of ear is correct. The fertilizers 

 for the potatoes were applied in the drill in the following 

 proportions per acre : — 



Pounds. 



Nitrate of soda, 240 



Superphosphate, 400 



Sulphate of potash, 250 



Tankage, 240 



Dried blood, IDO 



I would say also that Professor Maynard of the horticul- 

 tural department of the college and station expected to send 

 an exhibit of fruits and horticultural products, but on account 

 of the president. Professor Brooks, Dr. Goessmann, Dr. 

 Lindsey and Professor Fernald being in attendance at thia 



