1906. ] RATIONS FOR BEEF BREEDING Cows. 329 



WEIGHT OF Cows AT BEGINNING AND END OF TEST 



Lot i, silage-fed 



Average weight of each cow at the beginning 860.33 Ib. 



Average weight of each cow at the end. 1010.43 Ib. 



Average gain of each cow for 140 days 150.10 Ib. 



Average daily gain of each cow for 140 days 1.07 Ib. 



Lot 2, shock corn-fed 



Average weight of each cow at the beginning 858.50 Ib. 



Average weight of each cow at the end 964.69 Ib. 



Average gain of each cow for 140 days 106.19 Ib. 



Average daily gain of each cow for 140 days .758 Ib. 



Lot 3, corn stover-fed 



Average weight of each cow at the beginning 859.83 Ib. 



Average weight of each cow at the end 916.36 Ib. 



Average gain of each cow for 140 days 57-53 Ib. 



Average daily gain of each cow for 140 days 41 Ib. 



From these records it will be seen that the average daily gain 

 for each cow in the various lots is as follows : 



Lot i, silage-fed 1.070 Ib. 



Lot 2, shock corn-fed 758 Ib. 



Lot 3, corn stover-fed 410 Ib. 



As the experiment progressed even a casual observer could see 

 that the cows in lots i and 2 were in much better thrift and spirits 

 than those in lot 3. The staring coats of the cows in lot 3 indicated 

 that they were "out of condition/' while the hair of the cows in 

 lots i and 2 was as sleek and as glossy as could be desired. There 

 was a dull sluggishness about the cows in lot 3 that did not exist 

 at all in the other lots. As to the consistency of the droppings 

 of the cows in lot 3, we quote the feeder, "The droppings 

 from the corn-stover cows were very irregular, especially be- 

 fore the clover was added, it often being the case that from one cow 

 they would be very dry and offensive, while that of another cow 

 might be of such a thin consistency that it could almost be properly 

 designated as scours." This showed that the feed which lot 3 was 

 receiving was not ideal to keep the digestive tract in order. The 

 digestion of the cows in lots i and 2, judging from the droppings, 

 seemed to be in excellent condition throughout the trial. 



