76 STORRS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 
lactation. Feeding stuffs of the same kind vary tn composition, so 
that a given specimen may have more or less nutrients than the 
figures for average composition imply. They vary still more tn 
cost, so that.a given food material might be fed with large profit 
in one case and with equally large loss tn another. 
Different as are the above standards for feeding milch cows, it 
ts probably true that three-fourths of the feeders in this State 
would find their herds gtve better returns tf they should try to 
make the rations which they feed conform to either one of the 
three cited, This would follow not more from the wmprovement 
in the ration fed than from the increased attention to details in 
care and handling which would follow better attention to feeding. 
Like other manufacturers, the dairyman must reduce the cost of 
production to keep up his profits. The minute economtes have 
become necessities. Sctence can help the dairyman by giving him 
the results of tts accurate experimenting, but, after all, the best tt 
can do for him ts to help him to help himself. 
CONCLUSIONS. 
The studies thus far made with Connecticut datry herds, taken 
zn connection wth experience and experimenting elsewhere, seem 
to warrant the following conclusion: 
First.—Our farmers need to make a much closer study of the 
endividual cows of their herds and to reject the unprofitable ones. 
The relative productiveness of cows can be easily and cheaply 
studied by the use of the Babcock mitk test, together with datly 
weighings of the milk product. 
Second,—A closer study of the value and economy of the feed- 
ing stuffs produced on the farm is important. Such feeds as 
clovers, corn fodders, corn stover, oat hay, and peas and oats, 
should be more largely grown. These have little value in the 
markets, while, for feeding, many of them are fully equal to, and 
some more valuable than, the best grades of hay. When first- 
class hay sells for from fifteen to eighteen dollars per ton, it ts one 
of the most expensive datry feeds. 
Third.—The nitrogenous (protein) feeding stuffs like clovers, 
cotton seed, linseed, and gluten meals, should be more extensively 
used as datry feeds. These feeds have been shown to exert a greater 
enfluence on the quantity and quality of animal products than corn 
and even wheat feeds, and when the manure ts carefully saved they 
are of great value for keeping up the fertility of the farm. 

