782 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol, XXXI, No. 8 
significant that all three are Jerseys and that two of them have re¬ 
ceived the mineral supplement. The three Holsteins, on the con¬ 
trary, have maintained themselves in a good state of nutrition, and 
it is rather paradoxical that the two that have not received any min¬ 
eral supplement are in excellent condition, as good as anv of the cows 
in the herd (pi. 3). 
A third group consists of five heifers born since the commencement 
of the experiment. (See Table III.) 
Table III. —History and present condition of the heifers 
Heifer No. 
Age in 
months 
Breed 
Group 
Present 
condition 
(May, 1924) 
40.„__ 
21 
Grade Holstein.. 
Mineral 
Good. • 
Do. 
Excellent. 6 
Pair. 6 
Poor. 6 
42_ 
19 
_do_._ 
Nonminfiral 
43. 
19 
Purebred J ersey... .. 
57 _ 
9 
Grade Holstein__ _____ 
do 
59—.. 
8 
Jersey-Ayrshire cross_______ 
do 
• Recently bred. 6 Unbred. 
The last two of these are too young to pass judgment on, at least 
from this standpoint. As the progeny of cows in the experiment 
they will be discussed later on. The first three apparently have not 
as yet felt any bad effects of the low ash rations, nor has the mineral 
supplement added to No. 40’s ration had any perceptible effect. 
She and her mate (No. 42) are, to all outward appearances, in 
identical condition (pi. 4). 
The question will probably be raised as to why there are four 
heifers in the “nonmineral” group and only one in the Ci mineral” 
group. The procedure which, with a few exceptions, has been fol¬ 
lowed, has been to place the heifer calves in the same group as their 
dams, to see if any effects of the experiment might be cumulative. 
This past year, due to unfortunate circumstances in no way connected 
with the experiment, three heifer calves from cows in the “ mineral ” 
group have died, thus making an uneven division of the young ani¬ 
mals. This fault, if not corrected during the present season by 
natural increase, will be adjusted by placing calves from u nonmineral” 
cows in the “ mineral” group. 
Summing up the evidence on all the individuals it is found, as far 
as general appearance and handling are concerned, that— 
(1) The experimental treatment has had no prolonged ill effects on 
the aged cows, irrespective of breed. 
(2) The same is true so far of the heifers and of the young Holstein 
cows. 
(3) The young Jersey cows, irrespective of the group they belong 
to, show conclusive evidence of impaired metabolism, in their general 
unthrifty appearance, thin flesh, and rough, harsh coats. 
Not satisfied with their own judgment in the matter, the writers 
had the opinion of 10 impartial outsiders, all more or less experienced 
in the judging of cattle. A careful record of their decisions has been 
kept, and an analysis of this record shows that their decisions aver¬ 
aged 58 per cent correct, i. e., they had almost as many cows in the 
wrong group as in the right one. The mistakes were almost exactly 
divided between the two groups,'57.2 per cent of the mineral group 
