A STUDY OF RATIONS FED TO MILCH COWS. 23 
The coefficients of digestibility used here are given in the 
preceding table. ‘They are based upon the results of digestion 
experiments with domestic animals. Where such experiments 
have been made in this country, in sufficient number to give 
reliable results, these are used for these coefficients. In other 
cases the results of European (and especially German) experi- 
ments have been drawn upon for the purpose. 
DETAILS OF THE STUDIES OF THE WINTER OF 1896-97 (FIFTH 
SEASON ). 
Studies of four herds were made during the past year (1896- 
97). The results of these are given on pages 24-34. 
As in previous reports the herds are designated by the letters 
of the alphabet and the tests by numbers. ‘Those for this 
season are: Herd J, tests Nos. 39 and 41; Herd K, tests Nos. 
40 and 42; Herd L, tests Nos. 43 and 45; Herd M, tests 
Nos. 44 and 46. 
The names and residences of the owners are given in table 
9 beyond. 
The studies of the first herd are designated as tests No. 
39 and No. 41, pages 24 and 25. The first test began 
December 14, 1896, and continued twelve days. ‘The cows 
were watered once a day from awell. ‘The hay used was from 
mixed grasses grown on low meadow land. ‘The oat hay was 
cut when the grain was in the milk. ‘The corn ensilage was 
from whole corn cut when the ears had begun to glaze. The 
grain was a mixture of four parts corn meal with five parts 
Buffalo gluten feed. The second test with this herd (No. 41) 
began January 11, 1897, about a fortnight after the close of 
the first test, and continued twelve days. The same kinds of 
coarse fodders were fed as in the first test, but the grain feed 
was made up of four parts Buffalo gluten feed, three parts 
wheat bran, and two parts cottonseed meal. Thirteen cows 
were included in these tests. They were all in good condition, 
and no irregularities occurred in the experiment. 
