108 



EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[Jan. 



Influence of Protein on Milk Production (Pounds). 



Preliminary period: both herds, low-protein ration. 



It was hardly possible, with the cows at our disposal, to 

 select two herds of six each that would produce substantially 

 equal amounts of milk. It will be seen, therefore, that Herd 

 II. in the preliminary period was producing nearly 10 per 

 cent, more milk and from 5.5 to 7 per cent, more protein and 

 fat than Herd I. 



In the second or period proper, covering eleven weeks, this 

 percentage was increased from 9.8 to 20 in case of the milk; 

 substantially similar increases were also noted in case of the 

 milk ingredients. Otherwise expressed, Herd II., receiving 

 the high-protein ration, nearly maintained its flow during the 

 second period, while each cow in Herd 1. showed an average 

 daily decrease of 1.75 pounds, or practically 10 per cent. 



In the preliminary period both herds were receiving from 

 10 to 11 per cent, less protein than was actually needed for 

 maintenance and milk. In the second period the low-protein 

 herd had approximately reached a balance between income and 

 outgo, while the high-protein herd was receiving 31.3 per 

 cent, of crude protein in excess of requirements. The effect 



