From the report of the Bacteriologist it is apparent that the milk from cows fed steamed silage is less acid than that from cows fed ordinary silage. From this we may infer that milk from cows fed steamed silage will have a higher value for condensing purposes, also possess better keeping qualities, than milk from cows fed on unsteamed silage.

The question of the practicability of the method for the general farmer and dairyman has been pretty conclusively demonstrated. The additional cost over putting up silage in the usual way is approximately 40 cents per ton for a 30-ton silo. For large silos the cost would be proportionately less. This includes labor and fuel exclusive of apparatus.

The work at Moro, Sherman County, will be discontinued after this season. It has been demonstrated that alfalfa and the field pea can be profitably grown on the wheat lands of the above territory. This largely solves the problem as to the feasibility of furnishing these soils with humus. At the close of this season a detailed tabulation of the results will be made.

Experiments with the use of nitrate of soda for cereal crops have been resumed.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY.

The work in animal husbandry has mainly dealt with problems in fattening hogs, feeding dairy cows, sheep, and soiling both cows and swine. An appreciable increase in the annual yield of milk from the Station herd has occurred since the adoption of soiling instead of permitting the cows to run on pasture.

The soiling of hogs with alfalfa has not been satisfactory; which is apparently due to the tendency of the plant to rapidly develop woody substance, thus lessening its palatability. Rape and other tender, succulent forage gave satisfactory results.

An experimental feeding of silage to dairy cows and a fly repellent test, were conducted in co-operation with the Department of Dairying.

Experiments in feeding cattle were

A. Experimental feeding of a Jersey cow for beef was undertaken to ascertain the cost of meat production in such an animal. The cow was a six-year-old pure-bred Jersey, a heavy milker, but withdrawn from the dairy owing to a pronounced predisposition to garget.

The mill feed consisted of one-half wheat bran, one-fourth each of linseed oil-cake meal and crushed wheat, by weight. The hay was mixed clover and grass. The silage was vetch, clover and corn, steamed.

It required for one pound increase in live weight 4.02 pounds of mill feed; 2.76 pounds hay and 14.11 pounds of silage.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNT.

Credit by 1100 pounds at 4 cents per pound..

$44.00

Value of cow at beginning of Exp. 835 lbs. at 24 per lb. $22.96

533 pounds of bran at $15.00 per ton..

3.99

266 pounds of oil meal at $30.00 per ton.

3.99

266 pounds crushed wheat at $20.00 per ton 741 pounds of hay at $6.00 per ton....

2.66

2.22

4.46 $40.294

3739 pounds of steamed silage at $2.50 per ton

Net profit..

$ 3.704

The value of the manure will easily offset the cost of labor. Thus it appears that the farmer is reasonably assured of a profit in an attempt to fatten such animals.

The butcher reported that the dressed carcass weighed 600 pounds, thus yielding 54 per cent dressed meat.

B. An experiment to determine if a dry cow could be maintained in good condition during the winter without concentrated feed. A four-year-old dry Shorthorn cow, in excellent condition, was selected for the experiment. The hay fed was mixed clover and grass and the silage was clover, vetch and corn, steamed.

Thus it will be noted that the cow was wintered very inexpensively. C. An experiment with the "Calf Feeder" versus allowing them to drink from the bucket in the usual manner.

These calves were pure-bred Jerseys. Rose was one month younger than Katherine and about two months younger than Girl. They were fed 6 pounds of new milk morning and night with what mill feed and hay they would consume. Perhaps the feeder would show better results with skim milk.

Much speculation has been indulged in by stockmen as to the healthfulness of silage for sheep. To determine this a flock of 25 breeding ewes and one ram was selected. These sheep were in good condition at the beginning of the experiment, as their weight will indicate.

The sheep were fed all the steamed vetch and clover silage they would eat up cleanly, with about one-half pound of oats each per day. Weight Dec. 15, 1902, 4645 pounds; Dec. 31, 4840 pounds; Jan. 31,

1903, 4767 pounds. They consumed during the 48 days, 8210 pounds of silage and 600 pounds of oats. Average amount of feed consumed daily per head, 6.58 pounds of silage and .48 pounds of oats.

With the exception of one animal the flock was apparently in the best of health at the close of the experiment.

Experiments in feeding swine were:

A. Crushed wheat, versus whole wheat.

Ten, eight months old, graded Berkshire-Poland Chinas were divided as equally as practicable into two lots. Lot 1 was fed whole wheat and consumed 4.53 pounds for each pound of gain in live weight. Lot 2 consumed 4.42 pounds of crushed wheat for each pound of gain in live weight. Duration of fattening period, 61 days. The grain was fed dry, but clean drinking water was kept constantly within reach of the hogs.

B. To illustrate porcine individuality, a thrifty Ohio Improved, Chester White barrow, farrowed Feb. 17, 1902, was placed in a pen alone. The feed of this animal during the summer consisted of skim milk, rape, vetch, etc. Weight of pig at beginning of experimental feeding Nov. 1, 1902, 228 pounds. Weight at close of fattening period, Jan. 10, 1903, 412 pounds. Consumed in 70 days, 586.50 pounds of crushed wheat and 280 pounds of skim milk. Thus making a gain of one pound live weight from 3.19 pounds crushed wheat and 1.52 pounds of skim milk.

C. Soiling matured hogs.

May 1, 1903, two freshly weaned sows were placed with two other matured hogs in a pen provided with a small open yard. The four weighed, May 1, 1325 pounds. They consumed in the first period. of 31 days 845 pounds of rape, 880 pounds of crimson clover, 412 pounds alfalfa, 14 pounds wheat screenings, and 20 pounds of oats. June 1 they weighed 1350 pounds. Thus they required 106.85 pounds of the green feed and 1.7 pounds of the grain mixture for each added pound of their live weight. From June 1 to July 1, they consumed 1642 pounds of alfalfa, and made a gain of 5 pounds. Hence they required 328.4 pounds of green alfalfa to produce one pound of live weight. Better results would, undoubtedly, have been obtained, had the hogs been pastured on the alfalfa. By the latter method, they would have fed on the tender shoots; while in soiling, by the time the plant attained sufficient height to cut advantageous

ly, too much woody substance was developed to suit the palate of the hog. Suffice it to say that the hogs maintained a good, healthy condition during the whole time of the experiment.

D. Soiling young pigs.

May 1, 1903, sixteen pigs weighing 559 pounds were placed in a feeding pen with an open yard. From May 1 to June 2, they consumed 1693 pounds of crimson clover and alfalfa; 3504 pounds of skim milk; 75 pounds of crushed wheat. Weight June 2, 780 lbs. Gain, 221 pounds. Thus requiring 15.40 pounds of skim milk, 7.61 pounds of the green fodder and .34 pounds of crushed wheat for one pound gain in live weight.

E. An experiment to determine the value of a small supplementary grain ration in feeding green forage and milk.

June 2, the sixteen pigs used in Exp. D., were divided into two lots. Lot 1 weighed, June 2, 375 pounds. This lot consumed from June 2 to July 1, 502 pounds of alfalfa, 2308 pounds of skim milk. Weight, July 1, 505 pounds. Gain, 130 pounds. Thus they required 17.75 pounds of skim milk and 3.86 pounds of alfalfa for one pound increase in live weight.

Lot 2. Weighed, June 2, 405 pounds. This lot consumed from June 2 to July 1, 2055 pounds of skim milk, 456 pounds alfalfa and 112 pounds of crushed wheat. Weight, July 1, 530 pounds. Gain, 125 pounds. Thus they required 16.44 pounds of skim milk, 3.65 pounds alfalfa and .90 pounds crushed wheat for one pound increase in live weight.

The cost of producing a pound of live weight in Lot 2 exceeded that of Lot 1 by .55 cents per pound.

There was apparently no advantage obtained in feeding the supplementary grain ration except that Lot 2 presented a slightly better external appearance than Lot 1.

FARMERS' INSTITUTES.

There is a growing demand for more institutes. During the past year 20 institutes were held under the auspices of the Station with a total aggregate attendance of about 3750 persons.

In addition to this institute work members of the staff have attended and participated in the deliberations of a number of agricultural meetings and conventions.

Four bulletins have been issued by the Station during the past

year.