HERD RECORDS. 



G. M. GOWELL. 



In the Station report for 1897, statements were given of the 

 yields of milk, fat and butter from each cow in the herd for the 

 year. As stated there, the purpose was to add to the limited 

 data so far accumulated bearing upon : the ratio of the decrease 

 of the milk flow from the time the cow is fresh until she is dry ; 

 the changes of the per cent of fat from month to month ; and the 

 milk and fat yields during the months following the act of 

 breeding. 



During 1898 there were twenty- four cows and heifers in the 

 herd. As the animals are valuable for breeding purposes, they 

 were fed such quantities and qualities of foods as seemed best 

 for their welfare. The feeding has been with reference to indi- 

 vidual needs for the production of moderate quantities of milk 

 rather than forcing for large quantities. 



From January first until June the animals of large capacities 

 received each day about fourteen pounds of hay, composed of 

 timothy, red top and alsike clover, and twenty-five pounds of 

 corn silage, turnips or mangolds, in connection with eight 

 pounds of concentrated food, consisting of equal weights of 

 wheat bran, corn meal, and gluten or cottonseed meal, mixed 

 together. 



They were at pasture during June, July, August and part of 

 September. During the remainder of the year they were kept in 

 the barn and yards and fed as during the winter. Every night 

 throughout the summer they were put in the barn and fed green 

 oats, peas, corn or dry hay and silage when the grass in the 

 pastures was not sufficient for their needs. About the same 

 grain ration was given in the summer as in winter. Cows of 

 smaller capacities received less feed, and heifers, even if well 

 developed, were given diminished quantities of grain. 



