512 



FEEDING ANIMALS. 



after one week's intermission, the two were compared for 

 four weeks more with this result : 



Lot A, 687 Ibs. oz. milk per week, or 16 Ibs. 6 oz. per 

 day and cow. 



Lot B, 702 Ibs. 2 oz. milk per week, or 16 Ibs. 11 oz. per 

 day and cow. 



Tracing this trial all through, it is seen that the results 

 in quantity of product are slightly in favor of the dry-fed 

 cows. But this is offset by the better quality of the butter 

 as well as the more thrifty and healthful appearance of the 

 animals fed on ensilage. 



The great variation in the chemical composition of corn 

 ensilage is shown in the following results of numerous 

 analyses : 



It is to be regretted that Mr. Alvord did not note accu- 

 rately the weight of each lot of cows at the beginning and 

 the end of the experiment. This might have shown an 

 important difference. He remarks the better quality of 

 butter and the better and healthier condition of the cows 

 fed on ensilage. These two points alone may furnish a, 

 very sufficient reason for feeding ensilage instead of dry 

 fodder. There are some occult facts that chemistry does 

 not as yet explain. Chemists think they have demon- 

 strated that grass does not lose materially in nutriment in 

 the process of drying. But still the great fact remains 

 that cattle can be fattened rapidly upon grass, but cannot 

 be fattened upon hay. It is practical nonsense to say that 



