between its digestible organic nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous constituents than either one of the above-stated two fodder rations used by us, it was decided to try fodder combinations which, in consequence of the addition of some concentrated commercial fodder article, would contain a larger amount of digestible nitrogenous substances. The gluten meal was selected for that purpose. The same coarse fodder articles - English hay, corn ensilage, corn stover and roots (carrots) - were used in most cases in different quantities and combinations with equal weights of corn meal, wheat bran and gluten meal. The relations between the two above-stated important groups of fodder constituents varied in the different diets used from 1:5.9 to 1: 7.9. The closer relation was obtained by feeding daily, on an average, 34 lbs. of corn meal, 31 lbs. of wheat bran, 31 lbs. of gluten meal, Nutritive ratio, 1: 5.9. 10 lbs. of hay, 35 lbs. of carrots, and the wider ratio by feeding, on an average, 34 lbs. of corn meal, 25 lbs. of hay, } Nutritive ratio, 1:7.9. The entire feeding experiment (I) was subdivided into eight distinctly different feeding periods; the same number as on the preceding occasion, for the same length of time seven months. The dry corn fodder, the ensilage and the roots were cut before being offered as feed. The yield of milk decreased, although at a different rate, in the case of different animals as time advanced. The shrinkage in the daily yield of milk amounted, at the end of the experiment, to from 3.2 quarts to 4.9 quarts in case of different cows. The gradual decline in the entire milk record of every cow is only once broken, namely, during the sixth feeding period, February 7 to February 21, when the yield of milk shows an increase of from .7 to 1.9 quarts per day, as compared with that of the preceding period. This change for the better was noticed when ten pounds of hay and thirty-four pounds of carrots were used, under otherwise corresponding circumstances, as a substitute for five pounds of hay and twenty-nine pounds of corn ensilage. The amount of dry vegetable matter contained in the hay fed with roots and in the hay fed with corn ensilage was practically the same in both instances. The feed of the sixth feeding period, containing carrots as an ingredient, is thus the most nutritive and also the most expensive. The results of the experiment led us to the following conclusions: The nutritive value of our dry corn fodder (stover) compares well with that of an average quality of English hay; the same may be said of good corn ensilage in place of from one-half to two-thirds of the customary amount of hay. The nutritive value of our dry corn fodder (stover) and of a good corn ensilage, taking into consideration pound for pound of the dry vegetable matter they contain, has proved in our case fully equal, if not superior, to that of the average English hay. The nutritive feeding value of carrots, taking into consideration pound for pound of the dry vegetable matter they contain, exceeds that of the corn ensilage as an ingredient of the daily diet, in place of a part (one-half) of the hay fed. The conclusions thus far stated are in full agreement with those pointed out in our earlier experiments. The influence of the various diets used on the quality of the milk seems to depend in a controlling degree on the constitutional characteristics of the animal on trial. The effect is not unfrequently in our case the reverse in different animals depending on the same diet. The total cost of the feed for the production of milk is lowest whenever corn fodder or corn ensilage have replaced, in the whole or in part, English hay, under otherwise corresponding circumstances. The net cost of feed consumed for the production of one quart of milk during the various feeding periods, varies as widely as from .34 cents to 1.6 cents in case of the same cow. The net cost of the feed is obtained by deducting eighty per cent. of the value of the fertilizing constituents it contains. The manurial value of the feed consumed during the entire feeding experiment, deducting twenty per cent. for the amount of fertilizing constituents lost in the production of milk, is, at the current market rates, in every instance, more than equal to one-third of the original cost of the feed. To avoid misconstruction regarding the statement of net cost of milk used in our description, I state once more that it does not include expenses of labor, housing, interest on investment, etc., but means merely net cost of feed after deducting eighty per cent. of its manurial value. (For• details, see Fifth Annual Report, pages 11-34.) 1888. - To verify as far as practicable the above-stated conclusions, a new series of observations was decided upon. The course adopted was essentially the same as in the preceding year. English hay, fodder corn, corn ensilage and corn stover served as coarse fodder articles; and corn meal, corn and cob meal, wheat bran and gluten meal as the supplementary feed stuffs to secure the desired relative proportion of digestible nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous substances in the daily fodder rations. The repetition of a comparative test between roots and corn ensilage was left over for another season, when a larger supply of sugar beets and carrots would render the trial more decisive. The fodder corn, corn ensilage and corn stover were cut to an even length (1-2 inches) before fed. The daily average amount of fodder corn left behind unconsumed was 5.55 pounds and that of corn stover and ensilage, 3 pounds. Six cows, grades, served in the experiment, which was subdivided into seven feeding periods, extending over a period of four and one-half months. The same quantity of corn and cob meal, wheat bran and gluten meal (three and one-quarter pounds each) was fed daily from the beginning to the close of the trial. Corn ensilage was fed in different proportions with one-half or one-fourth of English hay. Fodder corn and corn stover were fed most of the time by themselves. The nutritive value of the different diets used has been quite close, varying from 1:5.5 to 1:6.1. The adopted rates of digestibility of the fodder ingredients are those which have been published of late by E. Wolff. They are in most instances the average values of a series of actual tests, and are for this reason applicable for mere economical questions. As soon as our home observations shall have furnished sufficient material to enable us to establish reliable average values, they will be substituted. Local Market Value of Feed used in our Calculations. An examination of the subsequent tabular statement of the details of the late experiment cannot fail to show that the conclusions drawn from our preceding observation in this direction are in the main fully sustained. The high nutritive value of fodder corn, good corn ensilage and corn stover, as compared with that of English hay, counting in all instances pound for pound of dry vegetable matter, is fully confirmed. The general condition of the animals on trial, as well as the quality of the milk, point in that direction. The daily yield of milk decreased gradually, apparently at a normal rate, during the progress of the experiment. The shrinkage in the yield of milk amounted, at the close of the trial, in the case of different cows of different milking periods, to from 1.6 to 4 quarts per day. The weight of the cows had decreased in three cases, and had increased in three. The first cost of feed for the production of one quart of milk in case of the same cow, is, as a rule, from one-half to one cent less per quart wherever fodder corn, corn ensilage or corn stover have replaced in part or in whole the English hay. The first cost of feed for the production of one quart of milk differs, for obvious reasons, quite seriously in case of the same diet as far as different animals are concerned. This difference stands in a direct relation to the daily yield of milk; the less the latter, the higher the cost of the feed. A few results taken from our subsequent records may convey some more definite idea regarding this important circumstance. The net cost of feed is obtained by deducting eighty per cent. of the commercial value of the fertilizing constituents it contains from its first cost. The manurial value of the feed consumed during the feeding experiments, after deducting twenty per cent. for the amount of fertilizing constituents lost in the production of milk, is at current market prices in every instance more than one-third of the original cost of the feed. For further details, consult the following record : |