12 
BULLETIN 1190, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
per cent of opinions rating the milk very slightly off and slightly off 
on both flavors and odor. This difference, however, was so small 
that it can be safely stated that feeding green corn in the quantity 
mentioned, after milking, affects neither the flavor nor the odor of 
the milk. 
Table 10. — Opinions on flavor and odor of 29 samples of milk from cows fed 25 pounds 
of green corn immediately after milking. 
Eating. 
Flavor. 
Odor. 
Opinions. 
Per cent. 
Opinions. 
Per cent. 
88 
7 
3 

89.8 
7.1 
3.1 
.0 
90 
5 
3 

91.8 
Very slightly oil 
5. J 
Slightly off." 
3 1 
Off 
.0 
Total 
98 1 TOO. 1 98 
100.0 
CONCLUSIONS. 
Feeding green alfalfa to dairy cows at the rate of 30 pounds to 
each cow one hour before milking produced very pronounced off 
flavors and odors in the milk. 
When the quantity fed was decreased to 15 pounds, the off flavors 
and odors were still present to an objectionable degree. 
Increasing the time of feeding the green alfalfa to three hours 
before milking decreased the intensity of the off flavors and odors, 
but did not eliminate them. 
Increasing the time of feeding green alfalfa to five hours before 
milking practically eliminated the off flavors and odors from the 
milk. 
Feeding green alfalfa at the rate of 15 pounds to each cow imme- 
diately after milking had practically no bad effect on the flavor and 
odor of the milk. 
When 30 pounds of green alfalfa were fed immediately after milk- 
ing, the milk had less objectionable flavor and odor than milk from 
cows not fed green alfalfa. 
. It is advisable, when using green alfalfa as a soiling crop for dairy 
cows, to feed it after milking. When using it for pasture it is advisa- 
ble to remove the cows from the pasture at least four or five hours 
before milking. 
Proper aeration reduces strong off flavors and odors in milk, 
caused by feeding green alfalfa, and slightly off flavors and odors 
may be eliminated. 
Feeding 25 pounds of green corn one hour before milking may 
produce slightly off flavors or odors in milk. They are only slight, 
however, and would seldom be perceived by the average consumer. 
Feeding 25 pounds of green corn immediately after milking affects 
neither the flavor nor the odor of the milk. 
At least 25 pounds of green corn, therefore, may be fed to dairy 
cows at any time without producing any objectionable flavors or 
odors in the milk. 
WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE ', 1923 
3 
