
New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 29 
The investigations of this problem planned at this Station have 
from the first been upon the lines so clearly laid down, confident 
that in no other way can a satisfactory conclusion be secured, and 
it is along these lines that it is intended to continue until an accu- 
mulation of testimony shall have been secured sufficient to reconcile 
many at present apparently conflicting opinions, to confirm many 
others which appear to be conclusive, as also to determine many 
questions intimately associated with the leading problems, concern- 
ing which at present no rule of practice exists founded upon well 
ascertained experimental data. 
Of such immense practical importance is this investigation and 
of such scientific interest that it should be entered upon and car- 
ried forward with as little delay as possible, and yet so manifold 
and intricate are the questions involved in its discussion that a 
speedy conclusion of the whole matter can only be hoped for as 
the result of prolonged investigation, but the following record of 
results already accomplished, and of data already secured which 
shall perhaps find its greatest value as a basis for future conclu- 
sions, is presented, confident that the work will commend itself to 
our intelligent dairymen as being in the right direction. 
In this investigation full-blooded registered animals were used 
as follows: 
One Holstein-Friesian. 
Four Ayrshires. 
Three Jerseys. 
Two American Holderness. 
Two Guernseys. 
Two Devons. | 
The above fourteen cows were in their first period of lactation. 
so that whatever results may appear to be established are such 
only as apply to the age of the animals experimented with, and 
the conditions which surrounded them at the Station. 
All food and water was taken in the stable and upon every 
fair day exercise was allowed them in the yard. 
Since certain of the conclusions which appear to be established 
from the investigations are not only of scientific interest and great 
practical importance, but also at variance with general belief in _ 
certain points, it has appeared desirable that, so far as practicable, 
the data upon which these conclusions are based should be pre- 
