Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-03
COTTON SEED MEALS.
Director Moods Writes d ThsIr Use % a
~ Cattle Food

Much has been said and written relative
to the use of cotton-seed meal as a cat
tie food. Nearly all investigators agree
in giving it high value and urge dairy
men to use this material not only be-
cause it is cheap source of protein but
because 1t also has high manurial value
Practical feeders differ greatly IN their
estimates of cOttOn-seed meal! Some
seem to use 1t very satisfactorily for a
| while and later conclude that the feed is
not we'll adapted for their purposes. Oc-
casionaliy feeder observes that the
health of his animals is affected by the
feeding of cotton-seed too freely, and il
sometimes happens that even after ami
mails have been fed for months with APP
parent success that they are injured by
it's continued use. 1t has also happened
that cows fed upon cotton-seed meal dc
well for time and that later the milk
flow is diminished without apparent
cause.
There are at present no other cOncen-
trated feeding stuffs which vary so much
in composition as cotton-seed meals from
different sources and different mills.
Within three weeks the station has ex-
to over 50 per cent, of protein.
This great variation in different lots of
cotton-seed meal may explain the differ
ent estimates of different practical feed
Grs and of the same feeders at different
time. II a COW is fed cotton-seed meal
containing 26 per cent, protein and is then
fed an equal weight of a meal containing
s. per cent, it is evident that the amount
of protein which she receives will have
teen doubled by the change. If she has
,lfIt cd nm tn har full lctf in n
first instance, such an increase must re-
suit disastrously. On the other hand,
changing from a cotton-seed of high pro-
ten content to one of low protein con-
tent would diminish the milk flow unless
the amount of meal fed is corresponding
ly increased.
II 1t is Il correct supposition 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 le-
sally sold in the state unless the chemi-
CA composition is stated upon the pack
age. From the known composition of
different lots it will be possible 10 ad
'ust The amount fed that the size of the
ration as measured by its content OF pro-
TEN will be kept unchanged
The variations in composition are so
great and the matter is such a serious one
to the Consumer that he. for his own oro-
tccti"n. should refuse to purchase con-
centrated commercial feeding stuffs 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 package: the name or trade
mark under which it is sold; the name of
the manufacturer or shipper; the place
of manufacture: the place of business of
manufacturer or shipper; the percentage
of crude protein and the percentage of
crude fat.
The act went into effect October first.
If observed failures to comply are re-
ported to the director of the station. il
will facilitate the enforcement of the law.
,..,- CIiAS. ID. WOODS. Director.
University of Maine, Oct. 90, 1897.