Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-04-12


says also decreases in the same ratio. "
He has found from the closest experiments
that trees tapped nine inches from the
ground produced double the amount of sap
that was obtained by tapping three feet
higher, while the sap was considerable
sweeter' What do the sugar makers say
to this We hope to hear from some of
them
Experiments in Feeding MiIch Cows nj
the Amherst station.
Bulletin No b of the Massachusetts, az
ricultural experiment station, published in
February, gives the record Of twelve cows
that served at the station for experiments
to determine the cost of feed for the pro
duction Of milk The experiment was be
gun in 1884 with COWS Of moderate milking
capacity. In every case the cows were
bought few days after caving and were
sold to the butcher when the daily yield Of
milk fell below five or six quarts, the aver
age loss on each COW being S33 40 This
loss was added to the cost of the feed less
the value Of the manure for the total net
cost Of the milk The milk was sold hy
contract at an average of three cents per
quart. The cows were fed with various
kinds of fodder rations, both green and
dry, with the addition of grain ration of
corn meal or corn-and cob meal, wheat bran,
aud in most cases Il little gluten meal The
number of days that each COW was MIXED
varied from POI to 800 The bulletin gives
81 81 "a talnllur form, # Ia.
Of each COW. the amount of each kind of
fodder and grain consumed by each ami
NAL, with the total cost at the local market
value, the value of the fertilizing material
in the various kinds of feed with a summa-
rvof the financial results The concluding
portion Of the bulletin we quote below:
A ,,G coSt Of COW -, .......... sgs %
Average uf total cost Of feed per day . 81 - cts
Average product per day for entire peri
A'trasr OF net cost OF feed per day ... 1884 cts
of feed and Of COW, per day .........-. PIP cts
Average OF value received in form of ma
Average Of value received in form Of cash vs.
per day ................... s3i cts
The net cost of the feed consumed is ob.
tanned 10y deducting 80 per cent of the cur
rent commercial value of the essential fer
tlillng constituents contained in the feed
from the market cost of the feed
Market value of feed consumed ........... $50 %
Value of manure obtainable ............. .. - p
Net cost of feed ........... ............. s36 IL
The total value obtained for the feed con
sumed is ascertained 10y adding the value
secured from the sale of the milk produced
by COW to the commercial value repre-
scented in the manure obtainable
Value Of the milk sold Observation-Disclosures. Sill ~
Value Of ~ per cent of the mauuria sub
stances in feed ......,...."-..'.. 22g7
Total value obtained from feed consumed S134 on
The total value secured from any indi-
vdual COW, after net cost of feed and Of
COW has been accounted for, is represented
by the sum resulting from the addition of
the difference between the original cost of
the COW and its selling price, and of the to
tai cost of feed consumed
original cost of COW ......... S65 90
Selling price Of COW ........ .-........... - On
Difference ............. Standardization. 5000
Loss ON COW ........ ......... ........... $40 90
Total cost of feed OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 80 10
500 %
Total value obtained from feed consumed. si3i ~
Total cost Of feed and loss on COW, % 90
Net return for feed ... ................. So On
1t seems to be scarcely necessary TO add
that the above estimates refer only to the
cost of the feed and of the COW, and do not
include cost of labor, housing, interest and
risk Of life of animal, etc.
Conclusions.
l. The total value received above net
cost Of feed and of COW does in no instance
exceed 1881 cents per day its average in
eleven cases is - ~ cents There is an
actual loss of - cents per day in one case
(No. -, whore the average daily yield of
milk for the entire period of observation
(33l days. is as low as T. quarts
,. The total value received above net
cost of feed and of COW consists in every
instance in a controlling degree in the ma
nure obtainable. In No. s it prevents a Sc
rious loss in No. / it represents practically
the entire gain in some instances it
amounts to from three fourths to two thirds
(Nos IL and b, and in none as low as one
half Of the total value secured
3. As the value of the manure depends
in controlling degree ON the amount of
fertllHing constituents contained in the
feed, 1t becomes apparent that this point
ought to he seriously considered when Sc
lecting suitable fodder articles for a remun-
erative daily diet of dairy cows. The table
containing the valuation of the essential
Giles used in our experiments is very sug
gestive IN this connection when compared
with the preceding statements of the re
spectiye market prices of the latter.
1. Recognizing the correctness of the
preceding conclusion, it is evident that the
most serious attention ought to he bestowed
on collecting and preserving the manurial
refuse obtained in connection with the pro
duction of milk for it depends largely on
IA judicious management of this matter how
much of the stated manurial value will be
actually secured. The liability of loss in
the manurial value of the refuse matter
renders it advisable for financial reasons,
not to depend ON too close a margin of cash
returns.
,, Although it will be conceded that the
dairy COW, aside from the special service,
is most important factor in a mixed farm
management as far rs an economical dispo-
sition of home raised fodder crops and a
liberal production of home made manure is
concerned, yet when reduced to a mere
manure producing medium, this value may
be well questioned from financial stand
point.
q. 4 COW whose total milk record aver
ages not more than eight quarts per day,
judging from our own condition, promises
10 prove "A better investment when prepared
for the meat market than when constitut-
ing liberal proportion of the stock kept
for supplying the general milk market at
stated prices