64. Report or DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY OF THE 
THE CHARACTER AND SEQUENCE OF THE RATIONS IN THE PHYTIN 
EXPERIMENT. 
This experiment, which was begun in February, 1904, was based 
chiefly on variations in the phytin content of the rations and was 
finally executed in general accordance with the following scheme: 
Ration 1.—A low phosphorus ration was fed from noon March 
8 to the morning of March 17. The animal had been slowly 
brought to this ration by preliminary feeding for 9 days previous 
to March 8. 
Transition period.—A gradual change from a low phosphorus 
ration to one high in phosphorus, occupying from noon March 17 
to the morning of April 5. During this period the washed bran 
was decreased one-half pound daily, the same amount of the whole 
bran being substituted. The rice was decreased by about one- 
third of a pound per day and the hominy feed increased one-fourth 
of a pound. The wheat gluten was decreased 12 grams or about 
one-fortieth of a pound daily. 
Ration 2.—The high phosphorus ration was fed from noon April 
5 to the morning of April 19. This ration differed from Ration I 
in that its content of phytin phosphorus was approximately twenty 
times as large. 
Ration 1.—Sudden change from a high phosphorus ration to 
one low in phosphorus, the latter being fed from noon April 19 
to the morning of May 2. This ration was eaten satisfactorily 
until the morning of April 24 when it was refused. The animal 
became seriously constipated and as impaction was feared, one- 
half pound of Epsom salts was administered with negative results. 
On April 25, one and one-fourth pounds of Epsom salts was 
given and the ration withheld at noon. This produced the 
desired result and the animal began to eat again on the 26th, only 
part of the ration being given. The amount fed was increased 
until on the 28th of April the cow was receiving her full ration 
(Ration 1) and appeared perfectly normal. 
Ration 2.—Sudden change from the low phosphorus ration to 
the one high in phosphorus. Ration 2 fed from noon May 2 to 
the morning of May 15. 
Transition period.—From noon May 15 to noon May 20. Dur- 
ing this period the unwashed bran was decreased 2 pounds daily 
