The Bolivar County Democrat. (Rosedale, Miss.) 1887-1969, 1902-02-15
THE DEMOCRAT
n. A. MARscnALK, Publisher.
The Feeding of Stock.


The Feeding Of Stock.
The following letter from Prof. w. l..
Hutchinson, director of the Mississippi
Experiment Station at Starkvillc, to
Hon, Charles Scott, which we are per-
nitted to publish, will be both interest
ing and instructive to planters and
farmers. who are deeply concerned i'll
such matters. The feeding OF stock IS an
;mportant question with our people,
and ary means to lessen the cost, with
out injury to the animals, would be
gladly welcomed. The letter, which is
well worth the reading, is as follows:
Mississippi Experiment Station,l
Agricultural College, Feb. II
Mr.. Chas. Scott, Rosedale, Miss.
Dear Sir:--Your very interesting letter
of February 9th, asking for information
concerning the feeding OF mules and
horses, which If we knew the facts
might this season amount to large sums
of money to our farmers, has been re-
terrcd to ME tor reply.
For four years this Station has been
determining the relative values OF feed
stuffs as part ofits work. The results
obtained up to this time are given i'll
bulletin No. 70, page II, which bulletin
/ am sending you under separate cover.
The results have been obtained by feed
ing dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep.
They show that with these animals that
one pound of cottonseed meal IS worth
two pounds of-eorn, and on this basis
when corr, is worth 80 cents per bushel
cottonsecd meal is worth $57.12 per
ton. While we have not made the de-
termination as yet, you will not make
any mistake to estimate that a pound Of
corn and pound of oats are nearly
equal in value. The pound of oats being
perhaps a little better.
The Station has not attempted to feed
cottonseed meal to mules and horses to
any great extent. We are now feeding
pair of mules with view of determining
to what extent cottonseed meal may be
used in their daily rations. Their feed
consists of cottonseed meal and wheat
bran, and up to this time they have not
taken very kindly to this ration. We
are changing the ration a little by sub
tl,n Il +l,,
hope that the animals will eat it better.
We are giving one pound of meal at each
feed, or three pounds per day.
Railroad Commissioner McInnis is my
authority for the statement that the OF
mill at Stoncwall has been feeding pair
of mules on cottonseed produces for
three years, and they are in fine shape
with an unusu.ll lly nice coat. indicating
thrift and 4ood health. Then, ration
consists of about three or four pounds OF
cottonseed meal mixed with six or seven
pounds of wheat bran, and this mixed
with several pounds of hulls, the guam
tity Of the latter being determined by the
wants of the mules. The feeder is in the
habit of dampening the feed each time it
is given.
Mr.. G. ". Covington, secretary of the
Hazehurt oil MILL is my authority for
the statement that pair of mules being
used by their mill, and feeding essentially
the same ration as that given by the
Stonewall mill, and that the mules are
iii unusually good shape.
While the data in my hands concerning
the feeding of cottonseed meal to mules
and horses is by no means complete, l
should not hesitate to feed three pounds
of meal per day to any mule or horse
that I could get to eat it. Our results
with cattle indicate that this three
pounds Of meal would take the place OF
six pounds of corn. This would mean a
saving of about five cents per day per
head.
regret that ! cannot give you the in
formation you want, full and complete.
Our means for investigation are very
limited, and, i'll consequence, we are
hardly keeping up with the demand for
Information, but this is the best we can
do until adequate appropriations are
made.
We beg to assure you that whenever
you are in need of Information concern
ing agriculture, we hope you will con-
trnue to write to us, and we will always
do the best we can.
Yours truly,
w. l.. HUTCHINSON,
Director.