The Somerset reporter., 1897-11-04
Cotton Seed Meals.


Much has been said and written relative
to the use of cotton. seed meal as cattle
food. Nearly all Investigators agree in
giving it a high value and urge dairymen
to use this material not only because it
is cheap source Of protein but because it
also has high manurial value. Practical
feeders differ greatly in their estimates of
cotton-seed meal, Some seem to use it
very satisfactorily for while and later
conclude that the feed is not we'll adapted
for their purposes. Occasionally feeder
observes that the heath of his animals is
affected by the feeding of cotton seed too
freely, and it sometimes happens that even
after animals have been fed for months
with apparent success that they are injured
by its continued use. 1t has also happen
ed that cows fec upon cotton-seee meal do
we'll for time and that later the milk flow
Is diminished without apparent cause.
There are at present no other coneen.
trated feeding stufs which vary so much
in composition as cotton-seed meals from
different sources and different mills
Within three weeks the Station has ex
amined samples varying from % per cent.
to over So per centr of protein.
This great variation in different lots of
cotton-seed meal may explain the different
estimates of different practical feeders and
of the same feeders at different times. If
a COW is led cotton seed meal conta: ming
26 per cent. protein and is then fed an
equal weight of meal containing 81 per
cent, it is evident that the amount of
protein which she receives will have been
ktt he Oh he kas
fed up to her full capacity in the first
instance, such an increase must result
disastrously On the other hand, chang
ing from cotton-seed of high protein
to one of low protein content would
diminish the milk flow unles the amount
of meal fed is correspondingy increased
If it is a correct superstition that much
of the trouble arising from the use of
cotton-seed meal is due to its varying in
composition, this can be readily overcome
by the feeder. Cotton seed meal like
most concentrated feeding stuffs cannot
be legally sold in the State unless the
chemical composition is stated upon the
package. From the known composition
of different lots it will be possible TO so
adjust the amount fed that the size Of the
ration as measured by its contents Of
protein will be kept unchanged.
The variations in composition are so
great and the matter is such serious one
to the consumer that he, for his own
protection, should refuse to purchase con-
centrated commercial feeding stufs which
are not licensed as required by law All
goods sold legally carry the brand and
inspection tag, The inspection tag is a
red shipping tag with the coat of arms Of
the State, the name of the Station, the
Directors signature and the words "Tax
paid on - pounds printed upon it
The brand includes the following state
ments The number of net pounds con.
tanned in the pockage; the name or trade
mark under which it is sold the name of
the manufacturer or shipper the place Of
business of manufacturer or shipper; the
percentage of crude protein and the per-
centage of crude fat.
The act went into effect October first
If observed failures to comply are reported
/ to the Director of the Station, 1t will
facilitate the enforcement of the law.
CHAS. D. WOODS, Director.
University of Maine, Oct. 26, 1897.