Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-11-16
COTTON SEED MEALS.

Much has been said and written rela-
tive 10 the use OF cotton-seed meal as q
cattle food. Nearly all investigators
agree In giving II high value and urge
dairymen to use this msterial not only
because Ii Is u cheap source OF protein
bu. because IL also has high manurial
value. Practical feeders differ greatly
in their estimates Of cotton-seed meal.
Some seem TO use II very satisfactorily
for while and later conclude that the
feed Is not well adapted for their pur-
poses. Occasionally feeder observes
that the health Of his animals Is affected
by the feeding of cotton-seed too freely,
and Ii sometimes happens that even
after animals have been fed for months
with apparent success they are In
jured By It's continued use. IL has also
happened that COWS fed upon cotton-seed
meal do well for time and that later
the milk flow Is diminished without APP
parent cause.
There are at present no other concen-
trated feeding stuffs which vary so much
in composition rs cotton-se seed meals
from different sources and different mills.
Within three weeks the Station has ex-
amined samples varying from - per
cent TO over 81 per cent 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 differ
ent times. IL q COW Is fed cotton-seed
meal containing &c per cent protein and
| Is then fed an equal weight OF meal
containing 81 per cent, 1t Is evident that
the amount of protein which she receives
will have been doubled by the change.
III she has been fed up to her full Ca
pacity In the first instance, such an In
crease must result disastr0usly. On the
other hand, changing from cotton-seed
of high protein content to one OF low
protein content would diminish the mill
| fIow unless the amount OF meal fed II
correspondingly increased. !,
| It IL correct superstition that mucn
of the trouble arising from the use OF
cotton-seed meal Is due to its varying ID
composition, this can be readily over.
come by the feeder. Cotton-seed mea
like most concentrated feeding stuff
cannot be legally sold 10 the state unless
the chemical composition Is stated upon
the package. From the known compost
tion of different lots II will be possible
to 80 adjust the amount fed that the SIX
of the ration as measured by Its conten
of protein will be kept unchanged.
The variations in composition are q
great and the matter Is such . sertou
one to the consumer that he, for his owl
protection, should refuse to purchss
concentrated commercial feeding stun
which are not licensed - required D!
law. All goods sold legally carry tn
brand and inspection tax. The inspec
ton tag is red shipping tag with tn
coat of arms Of the state, the name o
the Station, the Directors signature an,
the words ssTax paid on-pounde,
printed upon II. The brand includes tn
following statements: The number Q
net pounds contained 10 the package
the name or trade mark under which
, Il sold; the name Of the manufacture
or shipper; the place Of manufacture
the place Of business Of manufacturer Q
shipper; tho percentage OF crude protei
! and the percentage Of crude mt.
The act went Into effect October hrs'
, ff observed failures 20 comply are n
! | ported 70 the Director Of the Station,
, Vim facilitate the enforcement Of q
.Ilav. CHAs. d. WOODS, Direceor.
University Of Maine, 0ct. =, 1897.