78 STORRS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 
A summary of the work, essentially as published in Bulletin 
No. 9, is here given as an introductory to the experiments of 
1895, which follow. 
SOILING AND .SOILING -CROPS. 
Under the soiling system more stock can be kept on a given 
acreage than by pasturing; much of the expense of fencing is 
saved; nearly all of the food given is available for the for- 
mation of milk and its constituents, as there is no waste of 
energy in searching for food, and the manure can be preserved — 
free from waste. 
The best crops for soiling are those rich in nitrogenous 
ingredients or protein. Although smaller crops are usually 
obtained with the legumes (clover, peas, etc.,) than with fod- 
der corn, the fodder from the legumes is much richer in nitro-- 
gen, and hence of more value in the production of milk, cheese, 
butter and beef. That is to say, corn fodder makes a one- 
sided ration unless some considerable nitrogenous feeding stuff 
is used with it. ‘The legumes are particularly valuable for — 
furnishing the protein which is lacking in corn fodder, and 
likewise in corn meal, ordinary hay and straw. The legumes, 
being nitrogen collectors, are able to obtain much of their food 
supply from the air and subsoil. ‘They add to the fertility of | 
the soil by the decay of their roots, stubble and leaves, which 
are left in and upon the soil when the crop is harvested. 
‘The more extended use of fodder crops like the clovers, field 
peas, cow peas, vetch and alfalfa, isa matter that should receive 
the thoughtful attention of farmers. ‘These crops can all be 
grown in Connecticut, and with the exception of alfalfa have 
been successfully grown and fed at the Station during the past 
tour. years, 
RESULTS OF FEEDING EXPERIMENTS WITH MILCH COWS AND 
SOILING CROPS, I89I AND 1892. 
The best results on quantity and quality of the milk were 
obtained where rations with relatively large amounts of protein 
were fed. ‘The experiments seem to indicate that rations con- 
taining a larger proportion of digestible protein than that called 
for by the commonly accepted standards, are to be preferred. 
Rations rich in protein are especially important early in the 

