Be : He Paes . Penson) Tan if es raya Revers 3 x at aa SS Pade et reaesypesieeres sieieHiens pa ad ee Sr re ANNUAL. REFORT MAINE STATE COLLEGE Ragas BhSS= PART II Report of the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station. AUGUSTA : BURLEIGH & FLYNT, PRINTERS TO THE STATE 1896. MAINE STATE COLLEGE. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. THE STATION COUNCIL. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BRIGGS,. ..c) cneeaseRere eee eee Auburn. NTR AM SHOTS IDI D) INMOOII Ds IBA Stsdocob dado bod GbosodbocnDDODC GS Limerick. HGH LOMMIRe WK CYONDYS Sau noe gmanauacaonoo moe bOOo aK OoddCOCUboND Winthrop. Committee of the Board of Trustees. ABRAM WINEGARDNER HARRIS, Sc. D., President,........ Orono. President of the College. WHITMAN HOWARD JORDAN, M. S., Secretary,............ Orono. Director of the Station. BENJAMIN WALKER McCKEEN,...........eeee eee eeeeeeee Fryeburg. | Representative of the State Board of Agriculture. ORAVORIS CROS ENG race sere tet eereir Snbadacson6 EEeseeeeee Albion: Representative of the Maine State Grange. CHARLES 8S. POPE, Representative of the State Pomological Society. SVAN O SS WUOMMMOI IAM MOI MEIES WE, StjoocodocaccddogoD0docbOCC Orono. IDLOLGANOIS) LEH DIRS TI aL MORITA IBS Skoog onooouoocoob oD dodCGGKS Orono. IDIWAINGARS) ILIBIR ONY TEVAIR VIDA, 1eins IDS ooo cocodooKcoodDD OOH SNOON Orono. IMEW SAILOR IDO COMIN, IRUNSISIDILID, We tSbs0000dc00c000Dn0bC0000000 Orono. WELTON MARKS) MIUINS ONG MEGS Seer cickttcieye ot ietele etentreteererne Orono. Members of the Station Staff. THE STATION STAFF. THE PRESIDENT. N22 Ol MA Nh ale ee LO av DANI WE os Gab adooemadasouooFOdCOKaKuCCd Director JAMES: MM. BAUR ANTES Mi Sin cir ctevesieciete otoleieners extol etetherter Chemist IDIRV-AINCCIIS) IDS ISUIR WIE NC JER IDo oodoncoacss Botanist and Entomologist LUCIUS Gy MER RTM BS ier. cco elsle sci co eee ee Chemist PREMONT De ROS SBMnIE, Vee Se cece scree areciceiee eee Veterinarian AAD NOMN, MES WAU ONG INES \Seeuocaodecdodpoodcucc5Kcc Horticulturist TSUANIRIRUIS) IEE CROIWNEIDY JS) SocacododouudeudGeo. Assistant in Horticulture HREDEC. MOUMDONG MA (S.. 2% cia ntis emieveieie eee Assistant Chemist ANDREW M. SHAW........... Foreman in Experimental Agriculture IVES pie) a PEWA MENGE, “VVEAGDD) cc cic, o sales) sve oie +++++- Clerk and Stenographer TABLE OF CONTENTS. ap file ey Uf f PAGE TREARWEFEIP'S INSTOCIU cabcacaanncud0odecuc0u0DG0dub00G0GUDDDDUGU 5 IDIPSCUO'S: IRCWORU ccooascoescceeuovopodObND OG oUbDoaGDOOOdDODDODGS t Investigations on the Foraging Powers of Some Agricultural Pllerne aor lng siolovorne WolGl Geocuoceoooacdougo0oducoa0cudouKD 10 The Profitable Amount of Seed per acre for Corn ............ 19 Sunflower Heads and Blackeye Peas as Silage Crops ........ 21 Feeding Experiments with Milch Cows ...................+- 24 The Relation of Food to the Growth and Composition of the OCS S MOMs OLESES| sera yacece cyetere aleceinicneter tie axarenale wits aralem ional aesian acids eealtene 36 EPO Ol VOIEUCULE UES) (ys cie srcieyelereie) aicicuelelene) aici clair aie) oie eieisheletstas ete 78 INGUES Oil JROUENOES SboocncesbooeedooooudbouoKdHdanonGooO 78 INOLESHOME Sweets COL 42 ae sietese is serous caste ches sicisroskersieis alaissele 79 INOTESKOMC IRS AS ereyse pssst epshcns crete eveteies ects svagele Meareraucishsiersli. ier ehe 81 INOPESWO TG A DIME OM aes lscnaneieiote reve slsiarsus « reteledsfeusienecael aie eva s..8 82 Report of Botanist and Entomologist ...................0000. 89 INES MOM TALS i akeys acti wees Sieiaus tayo ols tele: Hitech slsveveeteiaieaustcieuene 90 NOLES MOM MMSE CES usr. ie Siocc.cuepieyeis cueks eve)-e)eiaile, sisce/eyaleraialecsasvelaceiets 91 Second Blooming of Pear Trees .................e200:: 97 Cae CLe Met Cedn stiri a atonsyiaravere tale lapaltnetupalaavecarn ober setenny sss. eouares tueeets 98 Ave Yeelilonn \Wierolllky leeehe BaooanouccduuoddocuoDooGUdHboS 104 PS SU Taviq MICO Gils cystons abssayer ere ve lar teva clay sis nllsirnfei tury ave hey aaa suenele teen 105 dies S trawbernya leat wseebleumaccmehee teen eeeeoe ee 106 BheyCueumbersbMleaBeetle: a seas sciee cis ce cnresl-Po sie nein 110 eivnees Cameraman ely canstehy jaetecs ate alenw se cui ahevcuetenles aro resotel ola eee ne 111 4 CONTENTS. APPENDIX: Bulletins) Issued sim MS 9o ie iorla cyerssictdolercraertorl telerrerst terete Bulletin No. 17, Important Facts About Corn .......... No. 18, Inspection of Fertilizers .............. No. 19, A Discussion of Certain Commercial BPertilizers: ize cuss crater sewers eee No. 20, A Discussion of Certain Commercial No: 2i1ssNotes on Small hruitseseeeen eee No. 22, Inspection of Fertilizers .............. Fertilizer Laws in Force in Maine ....................- TREASURER’S REPORT. Maine State College Agricultural Experiment Station in account with the United States appropriation, 1894-5: Dr. To receipts from the Treasurer of the United States as per appropria- tion for fiscal year ending June 30, 1895, as per act of Congress approved Wiel 2, TES co cannaodod Qo000 sD. bon Gob Do Hogcadnoonde- sodDduddeb0Ganuaa005 $15,000 00 Cr. By salaries: (a) Director and administration officers...........2....e06. $1,705 84 GD)ES CLEIMGIFU C!S AE :c)-1=10301<1ntolatoiers3aveletotetetstetaratel=fatofs|telele)etelcrele’e/al=. 'stetels 5,922 7 (c) Assistant to selentifie Staff. .... ..2.65.- ceccccsence caer 1,708 35 (ad) Special and temporary ServicCes.. -........+.--s00 SbeooD 221 00 MO GAlisseadcaaadedcaas Sedda eases SI rgao ese Sede le Abd oedete eee $9,557 93 Labor: (G))) Milo? Cray ollOnyet) pacooononccouGsonnbsso00000R0000dC 500 6 $164 62 (®) TEI@WBAKT covocconsposcccBdsocadsondDND daGed onGcdoqsadde oQCoC 601 03 STG tical itererstereyatotntersy siete ote) eiererateielalelevalorsvelelateraicie:ctatelcioisiateretersslerele aleferstele simialeisvels tists 765 65 Publications: (Ay) [Pore OPIN RTOS Gan6bo, cbancobooCDHdaDnDHOOOKODNR000. SsoddoouDC $145 50 (c) For envelopes for bulletins and reports..............+-. 45 00 (GRO DheriexpenSeSrrcrseiceciielsileirieieleleeieleleleiele/alelsielajeterelelare 900 toOD 7 60 DLO sooood Goooonge 66 od0b00 5 codoGCad, a8000b6 Sogsunooodauaposdaces 208 10 HOStAP Ee AN GESLALLONETY: «ic oieicicin oie « <)ssie\e1s\c\ee/a\cleisjeisieieicicie)s Stotllelofelelaiatelalofelelsivouclaiare f 275 67 DICTED QMGl CXDIESE cogoese5d06 anobo “oasos0b0dodKdoaGN GudoDHeDoeboGEoodS oC 180 97 Heat, light and water: (a) Heat..-... gos0g0ds0000 GaGoODdNNdeNS sdodcopcsudoDCbac00GgRD00K $312 44 (CO) DVL EC Te aysieteyes olaveiare aicyaiaiesate ciel @ sis\\clalote ci steiclors cts visio aaielalmeisieisis(eisievs 100 00 SUGHEIL 5 codcodebcs Sob SoododeceS D566 oo coddodoDaca Meleieloteleteieleietelioiere 412 44 Chemical supplies: (a) Chemiecals........ oucoedoua Bisie elnlavelole'siaisieiaieaieeieistste pacousenonS $106 56 (b) Other supplies......... son0gdd0.0008000 06 nd56 000 BODDOOODOS 19755 MOpaleseeciscehyters oletalefarciereleleteieloteletinreieete O60, can0006 nOsDS00 55000065 S00n8605 286 11 6 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. Seeds, plants, and sundry supplies: (a) Agricultural ....-......- DOCSGHASHDSGOOS SoDcdSKOODGaOSUaGOS $ 44 85 (D) Horticultural....-...00 cecccceceeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeceeeeeees 451 7 (c) Botanical...... ... 40025685! 506 SoG Cd0H0 cedoodnsononaads 15 92 (ch) 1DyouraRFVOI KORAKCENL GooopsdnsSnaGedsdGG00s Hds0G0S sad0nnocoodés 19 25 FRO fet letetateretcltofelalelalelatnistaloteteteteieteleleieletelateletoinictolecieisielelaelersietsloisinteteeistereisteieieeters HertiliZers) ec as. «s's soso00ddc000¢ opon80 Goce Andopsdnosddacsdoos5an| oa cocnses Feeding stuffs ..-......--..- Sedo dacoGanSuosodecoc quad JoadovaogadUSng4000000 lines SogagbbAapapoSoadsoGoNGGDNG 90000 5 od060n000 6 Satolatelatntatalotatoetstetetatelate sOCC Tools, implements, and machinery: } (b) New purchases .........---- SnooD clololetevalelelaisiars ciate Miisistalisietele\ereisiaeeteteteterate - PUENTE [am GfieG UTES cterererete olelola!=lelnieiclnieloll/ el cleletetelaeleioet claleieieeielsletataeteateietsisteetietetee= Scientific apparatus.....<. .... Sfalofafatataleterelolefetetelaisierelatacteleteratstenterats oe oagoooandOOeD Live stock: (1d) CENHMIG cosascoacscoadccde nouS Gag000d Ghodoa6doosodcogacaccod $150 00 Total ...... cccces i ioletarelslafeihtiltalatMelstefoterete(eiolalotatalatteyolel=tateteleretatetel= aooaoneass Traveling expenses: (a) In supervision of Station work ..... aolcleieieveieisisieisieteinietevereters $121 99 (b) In attending various meetingsS.....-..6. ssssccccceseee 92 $6 AoW Gosq5qq0e0pos0nG808 sfolotatelitetaimatelelotnn(eloleleleletetoieteteteieletatetetelstetatelate acoocoor Contingent expenses........ bonoddgd, SOddRHODOOONS Bb0ds bogdOdC S000 S005 eeisiere Building and repairs: (a) New buildings...... og5D88 90500 ododss000000 O6e 5000006 ogs¢ $458 41 (b) Improvements..... ogaa6c eee So00c80G0 B GO 0: 00000R000 96 92 (©) LX OPMT Soon coadoonoKusbonbben edodocuDooDGDONdGOS ‘wodooCoeeC 193 61 AUOUEN GoASaSoodOKGeGo5000 COODODdOOD00 COdNdod0DG0000000000 6 Son000000 MOL AUS ere raceyfelotare sie elaieielsinteretaleiststeiaisiataiereteeleleieleteteieietersteisieiieloeeienicieietieieeete eaters $531 80 167 65 508 02 111 12 135 31 118 35 , 417 78 $150 00 214 85 209 31 748 94 $15,000 00 REPORT OF DIRECTOR. A. W. Harris, Ph. D., President Maine State College : Sip:—I submit herewith a report of the work of the Maine Ex- periment Station for the year 1895. It is gratifying to note that the scope and influence of the work of the station are increasing yearly. This is caused in part by new legislation affecting the station and in part by the fact that scientific appliances and information are becoming more and more a necessary factor of successful agriculture. Not only are the difficult questions of current agriclutural practice largely referred to science for an answer,rather than to popular beliefsas formerly was the case, but there is a pressing demand that the boundaries of knowledge be enlarged in matters pertaining to agriculture. Besides, the scientist, especially the chemist, is now being charged with the execution of laws affecting the farmer’s interests. In all these directions the Maine Station has been more or less active. FERTILIZER INSPECTION. As has been stated in previous reports, it has been found that an analysis fee of $15 for each brand of fertilizer sold in the State to the extent of thirty tons or more is not sufficient to pay the expenses involved in an official inspection according to the terms of the law. Accordingly the legislature of 1895. was asked to so amend the law that the analysis fee should be $20 for each brand sold to the extent of ten tons or more. The change in the analysis fee was secured, but through a clerical or other error, the thirty ton limit was retained. It now appears that the receipts from analysis fees will just about cover the proper expenses of a painstaking execution of the law. The indications are at this time that more brands of fertilizers will be sold in 1896 than ever before. Old companiesareincreasing the number of brands they are offering and new companies are entering the State. Confu- sion is being added to confusion, and the day of a rational fertilizer trade appears to be as far away as ever. The number of brands pay- ing a fee for 1896 probably will not be far from eighty, while the brands offered for sale in the State will undoubtedly considerably 8 MAINE STATE COLLEGE exceed one hundred. This means that perhaps thirty brands are ex- empted from the payment of the analysis fee as coming within the thirty ton limit. The terms of the law require, however, that these non paying brands shall be inspected, consequently it is possible for a manufacturer, by selling a small amount of a large number of brands, to augment the work of inspection entirely out of proportion to the analyses fees paid. The text of the fertilizer may be found ‘in this report. THE INSPECTION OF CHEMICAL GLASS WARE IN CREAMERIES. The bill introduced into the last legislature by Hon. Z. A. Gilbert, chairman of the committee on agriculture, requiring for one thing an inspection of the graduated glass ware used by creameries in deter- mining the fat content of milk and cream, became a law. The direc- tor of this station is charged with the execution of this part of the law, either by himself or by some one he may designate. Mr. J. M. Bartlett, one of the station chemists, was named to at- tend to this duty. There has been very generally a disposition manifested on the part of creamery managers to comply with the terms of the law. The results so far reached justify the existence of the law, and testi- fy to the wisdom of its promoters. The text of the law is printed herewith. INVESTIGATIONS IN HUMAN NUTRITION. Acting upon recommendations made by Secretary Morton in 1893 Congress subsequently appropriated $10,000, to be used in making in- vestigations in human nutrition. Professor W. O. Atwater of Wes- levan University, Middletown, Conn., was placed in the immediate charge of the expenditure of this fund and it may properly be con- sidered a matter for congratulation that he regarded the Maine Experiment Station so favorably as to entrust to it a portion of this money to be used in conducting investigations. Mr. F. C. Moulton, a graduate of the Maine State College, was engaged as an assistant to aid in this line of inquiry. Work was be- gun in February 1895 and has been industriously and faithfully prosecuted throughout the year, its object being to study the effect of the source of the food supply upon the amount and cost of the food consumed in the college boarding house, especial attention being given to the influence of an abundant supply of milk upon the amount and cost of the dietary. The results reached indicate in general that the free use of milk does not increase food consumption and cheapens the cost of raw materials. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 9 THE RESULTS FOR THE. YEAR. The principal features of this report are the following: The re- sult of an important study in plant nutrition, covering the work of two years, this being an attempt to learn something about the feed- ing capactiy of certain families and speciesof plants; an investigation into the influence of the ration upon the growth and composition of the animal body; experiments in feeding milch cows with a variety of foods, especially a silage corresponding to the Robertson Mixture; horticultural experiments; and a report concerning certain injurious insects and fungi, part of which consists of original observations on the life history of a Trypeta which is doing much damage to currants in the vicinity of Orono. Owing to the absence of Professor Munson, the horticultural work has been less in 1895 than in previous years. The activities of the station have been directed largely towards either the verification of existing beliefs or the discovery of new facts, and in so doing the station has certainly exercised its true function. The director of the station feels that he should express his sincere appreciation of the faithful and loyal co-operation of his associates in prosecuting the work committed to their care. W. H. JORDAN, DrreEctor. MAINE STATE COLLEGE, ORONO, ME., December 31, 1895. INVESTIGATION ON THE FORAGING POWERS OF SOME AGRICULTURAL PLANTS FOR PHOSPHORIC ACID. L. H. Merrit. Several years ago Professor Balentine, then agriculturist of this station, began a series of experiments for the purpose of determin- ing the “foraging power” of certain plants for phosphoric acid. The results then obtained were published in the annual report of this station for 1893. These investigations were considered of such importance that after Professor Balentine’s death the work was extended and continued. Eight species of plants were chosen, representing four orders: peas and clover (Leguminosae); turnips and ruta bagas (Cruciferae); barley and corn (Gramineae;) tomatoes and potatoes (Solanaceae). The plants were grown in the forcing house in wooden boxes, four- teen inches square and twelveinches deep,each containing 120 pounds of sand. This sand was obtained from a knoll near by, and having been taken from a depth of three or four feet was nearly free from organic matter. It was found to contain a very little phosphoric acid, but the total amount present was so far below what would be required by a vigorous plant that it is doubtful if its presence could be considered a disturbing factor. Owing to its almost complete in- ertness and its inability to puddle or pack, this soil has proved a very satisfactory medium, and was thought preferable to the mixture of sphagnum and coal ashes sometimes used in pot experiments. Three forms of phosphates were used: A. Acidulated Florida rock, containing 20.60 per cent. total phos- phorie acid; 14.97 per cent. soluble; 3.70 per cent. insoluble; 16.90 per cent. “available.” B. Crude, finely ground Florida rock (Floats,) containing 32.88 per cent. phosphoric acid. This was obtained from the commercial ground rock by stirring it with water, allowing the coarser particles to subside and then pouring off the turbid water. The “Floats” are the sediments deposited from these washings. C. A phosphate of iron and alumina, containing 49.58 per cent. phosphoric acid, a large part of which, 42.77 per cent., was soiuble in ammonium citrate. This ready solubility in ammonium citrate is brought about by roasting the phosphate. It undergoes a = Maine State College Experiment Station Report, 1895. Plate lL. Peas. Box 1. Soluble Phosphoric Acid. Box 2. Insoluble Phosphoric Acid—Florida Rock. -Box 3. Insoluble Phosphorate of Iron and Alumina. Box 4. No Phosphate added. Maine State College Experiment Station Report, 1895. Plate II. Box 1. Box 2. IBOxee3: Box 4, Clover, immature. Clover, mature. Soluble Phosphoric Acid. Insoluble Phosphorie Acid—Florida Kock. Insoluble Phosphorate of Tron and Alumina. No Vhosphate added. Maine State College Experiment Station Report, 1895. Plate ITI. Turnips. Ruta-bagas. Box 1. Soluble Phosphoric Acid. Insoluble Phosphoric Acid—Florida Rock. Insoluble Phosphorate of Iron and Alumina. Box 4. No Phosphate added. Maine State College Experiment Station Report, 1895. Plate TV. Barley. Corn. 3 Box 1. Soluble Phosphoric Acid. - Box 2. Insoluble Phosphoric Acid—Florida Rock. Re Box 3. Insoluble Phosphorate of Iron and Alumina. Box 4. No Phosphate added. Maine State College Experiment Station Report, 1895. Plate V. Tomatoes. Potatoes. - Box 1. Soluble Phosphoric Acid. Box 2. Insoluble Phosphoric Acid—Florida Rock, Box 3, Insoluble Phesphorate of Iron and Alumina, Box 4. No Phosphate added, AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 11 change on standing whereby the phosphate gradually becomes less soluble in the citrate solution. Ninety-six boxes were used, twelve for each kind of plant. In the first box the acid rock was used; in the second, the crude rock; in the third; the phosphate of iron and alumina; in the fourth, no phos- phate. The next four boxes were treated in the same manner, and so on to the end. Thus it will be seen that for each kind of plant there were three boxes which received the same treatment. Twenty grams of the crude Florida rock, containing 6.576 grams total phosphoric acid, were used for a single box. Of the other phos- phates such quantities were used as contained the same total amount, 6.576 grams, of phosphoric acid. To each box were also added: ‘Ten grams sodium nitrate; five grams potassium chloride; five grams magnesium sulphate. To the boxes containing the phosphate of iron and alumina and to those containing no phosphate weré also added ten grams calcium sul- phate. All these materials were carefully mixed with the screened sand before it was placed in the boxes. The clover and barley were planted in seven rows of seven plants each, or forty-nine plants to each box. The peas were thinned to nine plants. Of the other plants, four were grown in each box. All the conditions were made as uniform as possible in order that what- ever differences were observable might fairly be attributed to the differences in the phosphates used. The seed was carefully selected, that only being used which was well formed and of uniformsize. Such leaves as ripened before the plants matured were removed, dried and added to the plants when harvested. No attempt was made at polli: nation. As very few insects. were present during the growth of the plants, the fruiting,as might have been expected,was very 1rregu- lar. When the most advanced plants of each species had reached their highest development, all the plants of that species were harvested. The plants were carefully dried, weighed and ground. The moisture was determined in each sampleand the waterfree weights calculated. The experiments were continued through three periods. In the first period the barley matured its heads, and many of the pea-pods were well filled. The second period extended through the shortest days of the winter, when the lack of sun and the lower temperature were unfavorable to the best development of the corn and tomatoes. The third period was made shorter than the others, and none of the plants reached their full development. At the close of the second period the clover was not harvested, but was allowed to grow on through the third period. All but one of the photographs from which the accompanying cuts were made were taken at the close of the second period. The second cut of the clover is from a photograph made at the end of the third period, and represents the same plants as those shown in the pre- ceding illustration. 12 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE I. YIELD OF DRY MATTER IN GRAMS FOR EACH OF THE THREE PERIODS. A represents the acid rock, B the crude rock, C the phosphate of iron and alumina, D no phosphate. FIRST PERIOD. SECOND PERIOD. | THIRD PERIOD. oe ne eee ens aoe asian el pele B | c p|a B|o|p [ IHG agdaco HconcLcdc 193.31 185.0] 185.4] 179.4|253.11132.1| 56.7 58.2 54.3] 49.4 41.41 28.4 CIOW ET eee ecinivtetele t= 136.3) 120.0; Hedi) 63.6|296.8|218.9 148.2 101.6 | shinai}! Sodde o coor 228.8) 207.7| 226.3) 154.1/277.9|245.3}201.9] 86.2|157.8]151.7|133.3/117.0 Rutabagas ....... -| 154.9) 167.6 176.8 132.0/240.0/215.6)132.5 31.0 61.0 52.51 55.8) 30.1 IPenH ERY Gooosoe copor 335.8 269.5| 259.1) 197.0|500.0)131-5)164.2|127.2 179.6|113.1/136.1|112.6 Cotn-c2ieeeeere-see 491.1) 228.9] 261.7; 61.6| 55.5| 7-4| 6.3 6.3 106.9 17.6| 25.8) 24.9 Tomatoes ..-.-- .-.| 200.9) 177-5) 160.6) 33-3) 63.7) 4.7/ 1.8) 1.4 141.3) 93.7) 73.7) 73.2 Potatoes ...-...-.... 341 7 254.5) 274.2) 181.1/285.7|143.3/127.7]141.7 151.5/164.6| 64.8/129.0 Turnips, roots ..... 98.5 47.7| 117.3) 71.0)161.3)/137.5)121.9 40.1 40.0} 25.1/ 31.0) 21.2 Rutabagas, roots .. 51.5) 35-1| 53.7| 39-5/130-0]101.9| 50.1] 8.4; 5.6 4.31 Se5)| "Tees Potatoes, tubers...| 246.4, 196.8 214.6 135.8) 242.1 124.8)113.2}125.8 ee 71.7) 91.4; 83.1 TABLE II. TOTAL YIELD OF DRY MATTER FOR THE THREE PERIODS. A B C D NBGMIC BE aneseaqdeuacpouadanqoan. ccddaqubodanes. sounadssecose | 500.7 | 366.5 | 283.5 261.0 Glover 234). ee eee Ae es Moses tes | 433.1| 338.9] 2951.8| 165.2 PUENIUPS WHOLE Pralib melee errciot ial relate aleetele iaterale anette 664.5 | 604.7 561.5 357.3 letipylopvegch ay Ano jeuiioose Gooadesoae csDco cocCaodS 455.9 | 435.7 | 365.1 193.1 iyi Waponcce occMDodGae endconoconsocoacdsbocanconeonser 1015.4 | 514.1 | 559.4 436.8 GOLD e2s sce ber btege see abo > sede erga ee eee ee 653.5 | 253.9 | 293-8 92.8 MOHIALOES -meaitorsittictese tiene o seit totale Sat cocéponessgnor 405.9 | 275.9 | 236.1 107.9 Potatoes; WHOLE DAM bese. eiclelscle etayels 372.0 272.4 306 160 18 166 Carbohydrates.........-..+...- 1,410.2 1,271.4 1,472 1,670 1,622 | 1,668 PM aeeteteteteieteinle sieiciaietelaleisici<]s\els\e\s)e\ela'e 58.6 311.0 78 62 74 52 1,838.8 1,854.8 1,856 1,892 1,880 | 1,886 SUMMARY. So far as is indicated by this experiment it would seem that sun- flowers are not nearly as profitable a crop to raise as corn. With the same cultivation corn produces a third more protein and nearly twice as much carbohydrate material as sunflower heads. When compared with our common red clover it will be seen that an average crop of the latter plant produces nearly twice as much protein and more carboyhydrate matter per acre. From this very limited experience we are not favorably impressed with the sun- flower as a profitable silage crop. The peas are not considered, as a fair average crop was not secured. — FEEDING EXPERIMENTS WITH MILCH COWS. J. ES BARTEpT TN For the following experiments six cows known by the numbers 1, 2,3, 4, 5 and 6 were used. All were grade Jerseys except number 4 which was a thoroughbred. Nos. 4, 5, 6, were owned by the station and used for exuedinanvil work the previous year. Nos. 1, 2, 3, were purchased a short time be- fore beginning the experiments. Although they were all fairly good cows their condition was not such as to make them most desirable for experimental purposes. In comparing one ration with another it is necessary to avoid heavy feeding else the differences that one kind of food might show in comparison with another might be ob- literated by the excess of nutrients fed in a large ration. It is there- fore essential that a grain ration near the minimum rather than the maximum limit should be employed to secure results of any value. Cow No. 4 was rather old and had also been receiving more grain than could be used in experimental feeding, consequently she shrank rapidly in flesh and milk yield when put on the smaller ration. Nos. 1, 2, 3, had been fed quite liberally on cotton seed meal by their previous owner and a reduction in their grain, together with the effect of transporting them 100 miles in very cold weather,caused a very material shrinkage in the milk flow. No. 1 proved to be worth- less for our work as she leaked her milk quite badly, and was changed for another animal during the latter part of the first ex- periment. The cows were so nearly of a size that they were all fed alike, They were weighed at the beginning and end of each period. The milk of each cow was carefully weighed at each milking and samples taken during the last five days of the periods were analyzed and the results taken as an average for the period in which they were obtained. All food given the cows was weighed as was also the water they drank. The temperature of the stable was taken morning, noon and night. EXPERIMENT I. WHEAT MEAL COMPARED WITH CORN MEAL. It occasionally happens as was the case in the fall of 1894 that the crops in the corn raising belt are cut off through drought or other causes while those in the wheat belt are bountiful. At such Iti ii i i re i li AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 25 times the country is therefore deficient in its corn supply and the price of that grain advances. On the other hand wheat is plentiful and sells at a low figure. At the time this experiment was made corn was selling at ten cents more per hundred pounds than wheat meal and dealers in this section said they were selling more wheat for feed than corn, and farmers naturally were asking which was the more economical grain to feed at those prices. Chemical analysis shows wheat to be slightly richer in protein and to contain on the average less moisture than corn meal. We should therefore consider it worth more pound for pound to feed and the following data would seem to sustain that position: THE TWO RATIONS FED DAILY. RATION I. RATION II. Timothy hay, 18 pounds. Timothy hay, 18 pounds. Wheat meal, 5 pounds. Corn meal, 5 pounds, Cotton seed meal, 2 pounds. Cotton seed meal, 2 pounds. TABLE VIII. COMPOSITION OF FOODS USED. S a PIS | } a & oD 4b : 54 Ss = | ap 0 wz 2 | S a o.,.8 ni) a >. oO aoH | a 7 as = Bio willis = < a | cs races || (es Thfnmnailnyy WER yoooposedecsoooeades 13.18 4.37 5.87 29.03 45.08 | 2.47 Malreabemienleescnncccceccoeween: 9.29 2.10 12.81 2.62 71.06 | 2.12 Ciorm maanlAeoosbeteenodossaeeean 14.98 1.42 9.17 1.90 68.76 | 3.77 Cotton seed meal..... ... .... 8.17 reiki! 42.31 5.62 23.65 | 13.08 TABLE IX. FOOD CONSUMED BY EACH COW FOR EACH PERIOD OF TWENTY-ONE DAYs. PERIOD I. PERIOD II. PERIOD III. Timothy hay 345 lbs..... .... Timothy hay 348 lbs...... |Timothy hay 348 lbs. Wheat meal 105 lbs........... Corn meal 1051bs..-....... Wheat meal 105 lbs. Cotton seed meal 42 lbs...... Cotton seed meal 42 lbs ...|Cotton seed meal 42 lbs. 26 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE X. *DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENTS CONSUMED BY EACH COW. PERIOD I. PERIOD II. PERIOD III. { | Pounds.) Pounds. Pounds. Protein --.....6ces-.s-- 37-51) Protein .. .......-.-- 32.29 Protein ..... sonecsce 7-51 Carbohydrates ........ 237.57|Carbohydrates ..... 237.35|Carbohydrates..... + 237.57 IND r 5 coodshcossoncadcesc IPAS Eee seo Soocc Poco LSI ARS! Socket eaesance 12.55 ToOtaWereadaseces cele 287.63 TRE Cossocenooss 283.83} Tolalieae-=- soscoc 287.63 Nutritive ratio 1 to 7.09. Nutritive ratio 1 to 8.7. \Nutritive ratio 1 to 7.09. * American coefficients were used—those given for wheat middlings were used for the wheat meal. TABLE XI. WATER DRANK DAILY (POUNDS). NUMBER OF Cow. | 1 | 2 3 | 4 | 6 First period ..... SSA See 37 | 60 68 38 37 Secoud|periodis:s.s-cces ke eee e. 64 | 65 7 59 57 Third period..... Alar, 5 Se | et | 70 si | 60 60 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. TABLE XII. COMPOSITION OF MILK FOR LAST FIVE DAYS OF EACH PERIOD. 27 Cow 1 | Cow 2. | Cow 3. Cow 4. Cow 6. a a a n n zo ‘ s 2 ro : i} Ks} 4 peer Miceogy tein Maa |i Ges, alome Ap ea) coats Lae 0 % 0 | % ol Ye | 9% January 1l1.......... eeeee| 13.39] 4.35) 13.82] 4.60} 12.26) 3.60] 12.90} 4.60) 14.98) 5.20 January 12.........--2-6- 13.48] 4.45) 13.84) 4.55) 12.42) 3.75) 12.63) 3.95] 14.55) 4.75 January 15.....2..06- -..-| 13.34} 4.30} 18.69) 4.40} 12.20) 3.45) 12.62) 4.05) 14.48) 5.00 January 14......-....05. 13.42} 4.20) 13.80] 4.60) 12.88) 4.10) 18.04) 4.70) 15.09} 5.10 January 15....... doacooce 13.73} 4.40) 18.81) 4.40] 12.87) 3.90} 13.05) 4.60) 15.18} 5.35 Average ...... pdeo000 13.47| 4.34] 13.79} 4.51) 12.52) 3.76) 12.85) 4.38) 14.85} 5.08 February 1...... mfelefarolelelets 13.52} 4.15] 14.33) 4.75] 12.88} 3.80) 18.78) 4.85] 15.19) 5.15 Ie op ewleh ay ZooopodododKOOnG 13.36} 4.30) 18.94) 4.65] 12.74) 4.10} 138.28} 4.40) 14.95) 5.30 February 3..... Soaauoccod 13.71) 4.70) 14.02} 4.80] 12.75) 3.07} 13.09} 4.40) 15.25) 5.45 February 4..........: «ee| 13.62} 4.60) 14.39) 4.95) 12.71) 3.80) 13.52) 4.30) 15.40} 5.40 February 5. ........ «..- 13.23} 4.20) 13.89) ©4.15} 18.01) 4.10) 13.86} 4.90] 15.10) 5.15 AVECYAZE .....-- goood 13.49} 4.39) 14.11) 4.66) 12.82) 3.77) 18.47) 4.57) 15.18) 4.29 F@DIu ary 22. ..ccecsas creleccces|sccces 14.36) 4.85) 13.35) 4.10) 18.94) 5.00) 15.21) 5.30 FeDIUary 23. ...ceccsccccsleveccs|orees -| 14.63) 4.20) 13-32] 4.40) 14.34) 5.15) 15.81) 5.55 FeEDruary 24-.cesereccreeelecsses| cove 14.32} 5.00} 13.46] 4.35) 14.50) 5.45) 15.68] 5.55 F@DLUaLy 25. .cccrececccsclecces |oseees 14.65) 5.20} 13.61) 4.50} 14.48) 5.65) 16.05] 5.75 February 26 ...eeere-sere ollasade -| 14.54} 5.20) 12.77} 4.00) 14.36) 5.40} 15.02) 5.30 AVeYrage ...... 5 oog00 cosllonosoo 14.50} 4.89) 18.30} 4.27) 14.32) 5.33) 15.55) 5.49 28 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE XIII. MILK YIELD PER WEEK IN POUNDS, AND AVERAGE TEMPERATURE OF STABLE. 22 ERS) NUMBER OF COWS. = ad 5 DECEMBER 26 TO JANUARY 15. 2 x Bom enels 2 3 4. 6 a | HASH) WiECKS «icicle st onie'cieaiersicte eferelstaleteretetslleistersterelete 114 147.8 156.5 143.6 125.6 Second week ..... DOSOOLODDQ006 sateries 41 104.3 147 155 126.6 115.1 daniel yy 7x onopsadocoouaGooc seGobedance 47 112.8 142.5 159 119.3 119.9 JANUARY 16 TO FEBRUARY 5. INES W/E bo onédo6 “a000de pododoar 45 105.3 141.3 153.9 114.8 iPAleal Second week ...... mieeicisieiicistetete eyateretste 44 106.1 139.1 152.7 114.3 120 TITRE WSC Ke. ferererelsrercisiateh celarsisicicieieionteiererete 41 100.8 140.6 148.9 111.7 118.5 FEBRUARY 6 TO FEBRUARY 26. ITS fiiwwiG € Kae- cane ielels cteteteicietersinctetelsmrete ravers Ais |lohad5000 132.7 | 140.6 101.5 113.9 Secondswieeke pec 29 37 Lets ol IO) cocetbeocoac -CoCoocoodnOSAS . a 26 38 46 37 35 Period Til). .-....- nocaoc céhoasdcccae 36 47 61 48 4 Period IV..... scnchcos Saccogsooec coc 2 43 49 62 47 47 Period V...... Talstciuae so mcinis sinwlecines slate 44 49 61 47 4 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. TABLE XxX. AVERAGE COMPOSITION OF MILK FOR LAST FIVE DAYS OF EACH PERIOD. 33 Cows. ils 2 3 5s 6 & & SS s S De SSP a [eee See ALi A Rive Sc |) seed tee eal MN Te Wewenr| moh Eli eesti Thee giecsiael Melby ee! = —) et a] a= + = ~ ori S = o = ° Ss S a ° M = M = mM = M = MN Beniodl i... sa: Byoista(eiatelel state 18.78] 4.33) 14.18} 5.04] 12.87] 4.13) 12.57) 4.07) 14.80 EFS TT Ow Mcteletevcioiateintavs\c\nieie\eys 13.50) 4.26) 13.77| 4.78) 12.42] 3.98] 12.38] 3.67] 15.04 12ysnnvodl UL Basan sqoobOnOO 13.36] 4.19) 14.25) 4.97) 12.99) 3.97] 12.29) 4.07) 14.39 STI OG Vian clvisiaininie\cie) nseieie 18.81} 4.31) 14.36] 4.81) 13.19) 3.94] 12.74] 4.07) 14.33) TEESE | \WWigoqana nono ----| 13.81} 4.44] 14.77) 5.04] 13.87). 4.39] 12.88] 4.25) 18.95 TABLE XXI. TEMPERATURE OF STABLE AND YIELD OF MILK FOR EACH COW PER WEEK. March 16 to March 29. HBTS ER VWLE © Kee ol cjeisielelei=) eleleinelni=\=/e\a\sie e/e1n\= Second week ....... soobospeossaqbas March 30 to April 12. IMDSLE WEGlisiGosn sososde cooupoodnosS Second week............-. sosa5a0es : April 13 to April 27. IDTTESIE TiGOLSS Goocbdbdodes boosecoeseac S lt MILK PRODUCED BY COWS. IS = sl ee ase| _l. Op 3. 5. 6. e2%e2| Lbs Lbs. | Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Second week... --......0..cccecccee May 4to May 17. MTN tL Wiel ete ceie dicts oven cies vain Second week. ....... spgcodo odoec May 18 to May 31. IDTEESTS \W@Elsocoscasesoon000 5 oDGoDEoE Second week ............ceee- io aeae 34 MATNE STATE COLLEGE TABLE XXII. WEIGHT OF COWS—GAIN AND LOSS IN WEIGHT—POUNDS OF MILK, SOLIDS AND FAT PRODUCED BY EACH COW FOR EACH PERIOD. 2 Billa abel Seale a lola + 2 9) ara tae eee \e.| £2 z Fe | 382 | se | Bee | SB | SB | 38 | 425 | 26a, | OFe. HES Ae | ma. | be ; 1 j ee Nes 922 | 4 oe 200.3 27-6 | 8.67 Period I ae ies Se | Fis 23 210.1 29.8 | 10.60 14 days 3 Say | essooococs 14 273.8 35-3 11.34 5 708 ae ee | 311.0 39.1 12.66 6 El Eee 7 4. 247.5 36.6 | 13.05 = U4) 7 Eee anal eps aei acisea soe ll 44 -| 1,249.7 168.4 | 56.32 | Daily yicid= = 2:5eeeee-e teak eae | eteae eee Pe (fe ea 17.8 2-44] .S1 1 | a BE 3 79.5 24.9 | 7.65 Period II. 2 | 896 a Wi aaa 183.4 95.2 | 8.76 14 days. Ba $43 3) | nee | 934.3 99.1) 9.32 5 715 te Ps 267.1 33.1 | 9.80 6 | rgd ee es 15. | 229.9 32.7 | 12.45 Total ites. eee ee 33 | 1s | 1,094.2 | 145.0 | 47.98 | | Daily yieldiii.teceses vee |s-2 << -ca| eos. -0-25|eeoeeeee ol eee 15.6 2.07| .685 1/| 93 15 eee 187.5 | 25-1] 7.87 Period III 2 918 Fd PPL y- 200.3 28.00) 9.55 14 days. 3 S50) || cosh 12 242.6 31.50) 9.63 ees ail 717 PA eae | 259.6 36.9 | 11.80 6 Sati | em 8 | 265.0 38.1 | 12.83 WT taliteoces epee etl ee eee eee eee 25 20 | 1,185.3 | 159.6 | 51.64 Daily yvield-cs-=+--2-0-=2 |sceeeeelerne sees Jeeves seeefensees oes 17.0 | ~ 2.28] .74 1 938. | 13.2 | 28.1] 8.77 Period IV. | 2 | 925 201.6 29.0 9.70 14 days. A || 840 224.1 99.6 | 8.82 5 720 282.0 35.9 | 11.48 | 6 S45 270.9 38.8 | 13.7 Motalices. serge eee [epeeae gl (b) een 1,181.8 | 161.4 | 52.47 Daily yield’. s.-2:s26. Jes sale =i) aise 2ee Cee | 16.9 2.36| .75 1 | 952 12: -|poscccence | 207.4 | 28-6} 9.20 Period V. 2 | 929 13 |beeoeueee 200.4 29.6 | 10.10 14 days. 3 360 5 [one 197.6 97.4 | 8.68 5 728 |b czas 16 273.8 35.3 | 11.60 6 =|" 3624 OB: -| keasece --| 276.6 38.6 | 13.10 j } i MOtal es sone serek eee eee 53 | 16 | 1,155.5 | 159.5 | 52.68 Daily yicld oats, 202 bse3\os cen see ace eeecenl eos | se See 16.5 | 228.0 75 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 35 TABLE XXIII. TOTAL AND DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENTS EATEN FOR EVERY POUND OF MILK, SOLIDS, AND FAT PRODUCED. S7 | 24 | ge | de | 2 (Total Nutrients.) INDIE 5 ce: S06) 6 toodsoBeodad Joncdadbecesossocdonbp. 1.15 1.31 1.22 1.13 1.21 SOIHGIS: 6 5 Sor desadl seeds ssooedopodasoalooaeadnos 8.53 9.87 9.05 9.78 9.44 THRE sonsdcoonasogoub0agaesododd sacDDHGCKD0CCGRG00RE 25.5 29.8 | 27.98 | 30.04 28.6 (Digestible Nutrients.) INH o5 sp adocoag ono acnndeeaubogusoUadcoouneOdaUNG : 82 -90 -86 -93 84 SOLIGIS soosaoacansoncadoncodpesenodUSOodG OnODODDS 6.04 6.77 6.37 6.83 6.07 Hl Aitinetatetalatoletniels/stelelelclelersieia/slalelelele|e/eisleln/elalsiaie)s(elslale\sjals(ele 18.10 | 20.50 19.70 21.02 18.40 From the data presented in the preceding tables we are warranted in making the following summary. ist. That the materials composing the silage used can be per- fectly preserved and successfully kept in the silo as late as June of the following year. 2nd. That the pea, sunflower and corn mixture produces a silage somewhat richer in protein than corn alone andisvery greedily eaten by stock. 3rd. That to attempt to substitute this mixture entirely for the grain ration was not a success as shown by Table XXII, the cows shrinkng quite materially in their flow of milk without an increase in its richness. The shrinkage was undoubtedly due to a lack of digestible protein as will be seen by consulting Table XVIII; the total and digestible organic matter consumed was practically the same but the protein was considerably less than in Period I. On re- turning to the grain and silage ration in Period III the flow of milk was increased to nearly the original yield. 4th. In Period IV silage was substituted for one-half the grain ration, twenty pounds silage for three pounds grain, with good re- sults. All the cows increased in weight and shrank no more in milk than would be expected from the advance in time of lactation, the solids and fat increasing slightly. ice) THE RELATION OF FOOD TO THE GROWTH AND COMPOSITION OF THE BODIES OF STEERS.* W. H. JorpDan. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. The problems pertaining to animal nutrition are among the most difficult of solution of any that confront the investigator. This is due largely to the fact that many of the phenomena, chemical and physical, which occur in the animal organism and that are involved in the processes of growth, are hidden from the ordinary means of observation. An anima! eats, digests and assimilates food and as a result uses energy and forms tissues of various kinds. We know that in some way the food supplies the materials for growth,but such _ questions as the nutritive office of the single compounds of the food and the effect upon the animal of varying these compounds in their relative quantities, are so far partially answered. Such information as we do possess along these lineshas been obtained partly by circum- stantial rather than by direct evidence, and many conclusions have been inferential in their nature and are not the outcome of direct testimony. Only investigations long continued and of the most searching kind are competent to reveal the nature and extent of the chemical and physical changes in the animal body. The ordinary practical feeding experiments, while they may furnish guides for practice, explain none of these troublesome problems. If one animal increases in weight more rapidly on one food mixture than another animal doeson a widely different ration we simply know the fact. The explanation of the fact we may infer with a fair chance of a wrong inference in some cases. First of all we are not sure that the actual growth is proportional to the increase in weight. although where the experiment covers a long period of time it is reasonable to assume that such is the case. Again, granting that great differences in actual growth of tissue actualy exist, we can- not now fully explain, perhaps never can, in what way the food is responsible for these differences. The need of fuller knowledge con- cerning the fundamental facts of digestion and metabolism is a * Analyses performed by J. M. Bartlett and L. H. Merrill,—the animals in care of A. M. Shaw. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 37 pressing one and the investigator who is using the respiration ap- paratus and other scientific facilities in a search for this knowledge has before him great possibilities for valuable service. But this lack of knowledge does not constitute a reason why observations of a practical character should not be continued. Feeding experiments may convince us of certain facts which science shall sometime ex- plain. We should demand, however, that the conclusions derived from these experiments shall be fortified by all the accurate data which it is possible to secure, and so in studying the relation of food to growth, it is essential to know not only the amount and kind of nutrients supplied to the animals but also the extent and character of the growth produced. THE PROBLEM STUDIED. There is much discussion at the present time, of the relative in- fluence and economy of various food combinations. “Standard ra- tions,” “narrow ratio” and “wide ratio” are familiar phrases, all of which have to do with a wide spread conviction that the manner in which foods of different classes are combined has much to do with the character of the product and the profit of feeding anima's. It is generally taught that a givenamount of digestible food should have not less than a certain proportion of protein in order that it may cause a maximum production, and scientific data, practical feeding experiments and even common experience appear to warrant such teaching. It is claimed, still further, that not only the amount but the kind of product is to an extent under the control of the food, and the experiments of Sanborn, Henry, Roberts and Georgeson with swine, lambs and steers appear to substantiate this claim, cer- tainly so far as it relates to swine. In all these experiments the evidence of the effect of the food in modifying the composition of the carcass is simply the appar- ent relative amount of the fat and lean tissues, save in certain in- stances where a chemical analysis was made of a portion of the eareasses, too small to furnish reliable data. With the swine in some eases the differences in the carcasses in their proportions of lean and fat were too unmistakable to allow an erroneous judgment, but with the sheep and steers no past experiments seem to have been so con- - ducted as to prove thattherations differed ineffect other than to cause more growth or less growth. Moreover, the experiments with ruminants for the purpose of studying the effect of food upon the kind of growth were not begun with the young animals and con- tinued until they reached a somewhat mature growth, but covered only such periods of time as would be required to fatten the animals for the market. The experiment which is detailed in the following pages had for its object a study of the effect of widely different rations upon the ‘rate of growth and composition of the bodies of steers, and it is ili MAINE STATE COLLEGE oo w believed in that twoparticularsit is adistinet improvement upon simi- lar experiments previously conducted: (1) The feeding was begun with the animals as calves and continued from seventeen to twenty- seven months or until the steers had attained a size from 870 to 1300 pounds. (2) The bodies of the animals, excepting the skins, were entirely submitted to chemical analysis. PLAN OF THE EXPERIMENT. Character of the steers. Four steer calves were purchased in the summer of 1893 of R. & C. D. Waugh, Starks, Me., and they reached the station on June 7th. Their breeding is described in the following extract from a letter from the Messrs. Waugh. “The men that raised the calves have kept thoroughbred Durham bulls for over forty years, and they are high grades.” The calves were therefore not full blooded animals but were high Shorthorn grades, and were quite uniform in quality. One pair was two or more months older than the other two, and in dividing the animals into two lots one older and one younger animal were assigned to each lot. At the time when the experimental feeding began the age of the calves ranged from five to seven months. The rations. The steerswerefed alikeuntil thelastweekof August, 1893, at which time the feeding of the experimental rations begun. On September ist, the animals were weighed for the first time and from that date a record of the daily rations and weekly changes in live weight was kept until the end of the experiment. The grain rations consisted of mixed grains with both lots. At first Steers 1 and 2 were fed a mixture consisting of one part linseed meal one part corn meal and one part wheat bran, by weight.This mixture was continued until January 22, 1894, when it was changed to one consisting of two parts linseed meal, one part corn meal and one part wheat bran, which was continued throughout the remainder of the experiment. Steers 3 and 4 were fed during the entire ex- periment on a grain mixture consisting of two parts corn meal and one part wheat bran, by weight. The coarse food consisted entirely of hay, except in the winter 1893-4 when corn fodder and corn silage were also fed. At no time was the daily ration what would be considered heavy feeding. The object of the experiment was to discover the specific effect of quite different rations rather than to produce the largest possible animals within a given time, and to this end the rations were restricted to a moderate quantity, on the ground that less vicissitudes would attend the experiment and that any thing approaching an excess of food would tend to obscure the influence of a more or less favorable com- bination of nutrients. } At the beginning, the daily ration was five pounds of hay or its equivalent and one pound of mixed grain, and the largest ration oo We) AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. fed to any steer during the entire experiment was thirteen pounds of hay and eight pounds of grain. Considering the small amount of food eaten, the growth of the animals was very satisfactory. As ean be readily seen, neither of the rations fed can be con- sidered as unusual. Neither one is unlike what might be found in the practice of many cattle feeders. Neither one includes extra- ordinary materials or proportions of nutrients. The one was com- pounded to a nutritive ratio not unlike the German standard rations for growing animals, and the other was made up so as to represent what is called a “wide ration.” Both rations were consistent with health and a normal development of the animals and doubtless both would be included within the limits of good practice, if these limits are to be bounded by the extremes of opinion among practical feed- ers. The essential difference between the two rations lies in the marked difference in the proportions of protein which they contained, and the discussion of results centers around this fact. Certainly it cannot be claimed in either case that there was a deficiency of bone making material or that any other especially abnormal condition prevailed. The manner of the experiment. Throughout the entire time the steers were stall fed, mostly, as previously stated, upon dry food. During all seasons they were allowed exercise in a large yard, ex- cepting during rain storms or the severest winter days. The food was weighed out daily and the animals were weighed on three con- secutive days of each week, the averages of these three weighings being taken as the actual weights. The grains were not weighed out separately on each day, but were mixed in large quantities, the total daily ration being obtained by a single weighing. Each new mixture of grains was sampled and the samples were submitted to chemical analysis. Analyses were also made of the corn fodder and silage eaten, but not of the hay. It is a matter for congratulation that the experiment progressed in an unusually satisfactory manner. The animals were continuously in good health and no accidents or disturbances of any kind occurred to mar the success of the work, which, considering that the experi- ment covered more than two years time, must be regarded as a piece of good fortune. In January and February 1895 two animals, one from each lot, Nos. 1 and 4, were killed and analyzed. These steers had been fed experimentally about seventeen months and weighed 958 and 870 pounds respectively. The othertwo animals,Nos. 2 and 3 were fed for more than ten months longer or until during December 1895 and weighed when slaughtered 1300 and 1280 pounds. Tnoese latter ani- mals had been fed therefore over twenty-seven months. As the animals were slaughtered, the blood, the various organs and the carcasses were weighed and all theseparts were immediately 40 MAINE STATE COLLEGE prepared for analysis, the main object of the experiment being to de- termine the actual quantities of ash, protein and fats that had been produced in the bodies of the several steers. The food. The grains were purchased in the Bangor market. The hay fed was mostly timothy and was nearly all raised on the College Farm. The corn fodder and silage were also from corn produced by the experiment station in 1893. The composition and digestibility of the foods. As before stated the grains were mixed in large lots and samples were taken for analysis. No analyses were made of the particular hay eaten, but it is assumed to have a composition similar to the average composition of the hay produced on the College Farm during five previous seasons.* — The corn fodder and silage are assumed to have the same compo- sition as the entire lots of southern corn and field corn for the year 1893.** Table XXIV shows the composition of various foods. *See Report Maine Experiment Station, 1889, p. 39. ** See Report Maine Experiment Station, 1893, p. 27. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, 41 TABLE XXIV. COMPOSITION OF THE FOODS. Hay (assumed)........ qnoad nocssadcogaqq00% Southern corn fodder (or silage)........ .. Field corn fodder (or silage) ... cseecseeoee Mized grains, fed steers I and 2: Lot mixed August 25, 1893.......... dooooo0d Average December 20, 1893 ........-. JANUATY 22, 1894 .... .ccceseeece- February 23, 1894 ..... «cers April 4, 1894..... oduddcoaddousada MINOW GS USGL yeje\ajciciciv'sicieie(eieie) «le she AUEUSE 22, 1894. eke ee cece October 20, 1894.......-...000.0 December 31, 1894....-.. ...... Ja@lopmenay 25 NES 56qoqco0nn0bcdG 5 JNVOSU BW, TSGH- Go woo Goaeooousooo dfman@ Il, NEES Gasacooe oocoued Oba eee ce ce eecceece sesesees coseeerecs Mixed grains, fed steers 3 and 4: Lot mixed August 25, 1893........0.-....006 Average December 20, 1893 ...........- : Me DLW Ago yl Coole eisieleleale eters PANTO TSINA eI B93 sreraiatereteleleteiorelel lara S6000 dmbaysy 1G}, 1KEBY Soo ckaeoscoopoa-Goon ATES UST 22 BOS. ceiclsisie cleles) cielalcice October 20) W893. <2 5 ce cee eee n sees eres cceseeseaseesscesse seecsce COMPOSITION AS FED. eS cep oll yoy Mey Wf eeeaics 5 % % % % % % 13.0| 4-12] 6-76| 28-55] 44-66| 3-91 ee Ol deen ats)| 44 Ol ea 80.5) 1.2] 2.4] 4.1 Tm | 11.34] 3.98] 19.37| 6.07| 58.51) 5.73 11.25] 4.28| 21.43] 6.71/ 51.16| 5.17 11.32] 4.55 25.18] 7.48] 45.93] 5.54 10.90/ 4.87] 24.62) 7.77| 46.70] 5.14 10.95] 4.81] 25.18} 7.19 46.84| 5.08 10.56] 4.52] 26.06} 7.02) 48.35/ 3.49 9.88] 4.61] 25.94 7.25| 48.38) 3.94 9.s4| 4.29| 25.35] 7.11] 48.97| 4.44 12.54| 4.10] 24.19] 7.49] 48.58] 3.10 14.15] 4.19| 93.44] 7.98/ 48.32| 2.52 11.67| 4.17| 27.44) 7.37| 47.15] 2.20 10.76| 4.18| 26.62) 7.21] 47.79) 3 11.2] 4.4 | 24.6] 7.9 Feu), Za 12.79) 3.20] 11.75| 3.84) 63.73 4.69 12.39] 2.70| 11.90] 4.42] 63.84| 4.25 11.94) 3.39] 11.50] 4.711 64.01] 4.45 11.65| 3.35] 12.68| 4.87] 62.80| 4.65 11.02] 3.30) 11.87| 4.62) 66.43] 2.76 10.47] 2.91| 12.25] 4.96/ 65.44| 4.67 10.34] 2.50| 12.06] 3.91/ —66.91| 4.28 Rito! |S stool | evenian | ane The digestion coefficients used are stated below ages of German and American results in the case and linseed meal, and the American averages alone for the brag, hay and silage. from the coefficients of the single grains. and are the aver- of the corn meal The coefficients for the mixtures are calculated 42 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE XXV. DIGESTION COEFFICIENTS. z 2 Ay Fy (ore! ee Hay—average for Timothy, all kinds ...... ... 49 53 63 57 Corn fodder and silage, field corn....... ...-.6 63 75 77 83 Southern corn......... 49 71 66 75 Grain mixture, Steers land 2........ HE nevoteraetya\cts ‘ 80 50 78 $5 Steers 3 and 4...........0... 000 73 47 85 82 EFFECT OF THE TWO RATIONS UPON THE INCREASE OF LIVE WEIGHT. The grain mixtures which the steers received were in the following proportions: STEERS 1 AND 2. STEERS 3 AND 4. Linseed meal, 2 parts. Corn meal, 2 parts. Corn meal, 1 part. Wheat bran, 1 part. Wheat bran, 1 part, The coarse foods consisted of hay, with more or less silage dur- ing the first winter. The quantities of grain fed daily were alike for all steers, ex- cepting slight differences during the first few weeks. The amounts of coarse foods eaten daily differed somewhat with the several ani- mals being least for Steer 1, most for Steer 2 and alike for steers 3 and 4. From the preceding data have been calculated the quantities of food and amounts of dry and digestible material consumed by the several steers. This has been done not only for the entire time that the steers were fed, but also for the first fifteen months in periods of three months each. There is shown also the nutritive ratios of the rations and the relations between food consumed and thegain in live weight. The tables which immediately follow are as follows: Table XXVI to XXIX. The foods eaten and gains of live weight by periods of four to six weeks for the entire experiment. Table XXX. Summary of Tables 1 to 4. Table XXXII. Dry matter and digestible matter eaten by the four steers during the entire experiment, with relation of food to growth. Table XXXII. Summary of Table VI. Table XXXIII. Dry and digestible matter eaten by the four steers during the first fifteen months of the experiment, considered in five periods, with relation of food to growth. Table XOX XIV. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 43 TABLE XXVI. Daily food consumption and growth oz steers during first fifteen months of the experiment, ‘considered in five periods. FOODS EATEN AND GAINS OF LIVE WEIGHT.—ENTIRE EXPERIMENT. STEER 1. FOOD EATEN. WEIGHT. 2 m4 a n Ze Oa enter [arcs Mace, 1898, September 1—28 ...........-.000-- DSuileeteinels *616] 31.5 221 57| 36 September 28—October 26 .....-. 28 109 *214| 45.5 257| 279) 22 October 26—November 30........ 35 228 |lolelereieleleleie)= 81.5 279| 327| 48 November 30—December 28...... 28 QB caodadods 82 327| 363] 36 December 28—January 25. .....- 28 136 7300) 98 863} 3897] 34 1894, January 25—February 22........- 28 56 ¢700) 111 397; 447] 50 February 22—March 29........+..- 35 70 $875) 140 447) 514) 67 March 29—April 26.......-...seee 28 56 $608) 112 514; 544) 30 April 26—May 31... .....0s.seeeees 35 148 t860) 140 544) 630) 86 May 31—June 28. .......sseceeeees 28 AD sooasooaos 112 630} 681) 51 June 28—SUly 26.020 0 cevccecscees 28 PN Soacooboal) 1b 681} 707) 26 July 26—September 6............. 42 EO) poabon od 193 707; 3758) 51 September 6—October 4.......... 28 280) etereretelsicters 140 758) 803) 45 October 4—November1..... stefeletel |S 250 |erererasiselerers 144 803) 851) 48 November 1—December 6........ 35 SaNlosoadnac «-| 249 851; 903) 52 December 6—January 3 ..--ceceee 28 280 |Pystatatersictere 224 903) 935) 32 1895, January 3—January 28.........06. 24d} = DAB) on ea eeeees 196 935} 958] ° 23 TROGATS aco ts eae eae oe ae Tag) Saul ean atacaloawone "731 * Field corn. + Southern corn silage. t Field corn silage. 44 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE XXVII. FOOD EATEN AND GAINS OF LIVE WEIGHT—ENTIRE EXPERIMENT. * Field corn. yj Southern corn silage. t Field corn silage. STEER 2. : Foop EATEN. WEIGHTS. e a H 3 D Dares. e i 542 gst dé] F 7 é | £ | ee22 |ge2)/22| 2 | 3 Z| |ofta|shall Ga] a o 1893, September 1—28..... .22-22- eevee 28)|lterelorere *963| 29.5 345) 398} 53 September 28—October 26..... 500 28; 147 *315| 438.5 398) 424) 26 October 2—November 380.... .-- By PPLNIGGooaaoada)! — killa’) 424) 451) 27 November 30—December 28 ..... 28] 224). .scceee 61 451} 482) 31 December 28—January 25 ...----- 28; 161 7300) 98 482) 512) 30 1894, January 25—February 22 ......... 28 $4 +700} Jil 612} 563) 51 February 22—March 29 ......0...- 35) 105 $875) 140 563} 625) 62 March 29—April 26.....-. Boopoooge 28 88 $700) 112 625 675) 50 April 26—May 31 ....--. nce ee sal Sail EB +875| 140 675| 749| 74 May 31—June 28 ......-ceceee seoee 28) 308) «222.00 112 749) = 782| 33 June 28—July 26.......+6. 90000000 28] 308)}......... 112 782) 812] 30 July 26—September 6..........00. 42) 462).......00- 193 812} 860) 48 September 6—October 4..... 90660 28) 3808).....0-...| 140 860} 897) 37 October +—November l......5.... oS BS GGococeden 144 897; 920) 23 November 1—December 6 ........ 35| 385] .-ccecess| 249 920) 958) 35 December 6—January 3 ...-.--++s 28) 308) .... ....| 224 958] 987) 29 1895, January 3—January 31......-...e 2B] SOS | erercteretcrersrere) mz: 987) 1,023} 36 January 31—February 28 ...... C00 28 |) er OS| tetelelereletelorets 224 1,023} 1,040; 17 February 28—March 28 ........... 28| 308] ...+....- 224 1,040} 1,075) 35 March 28—April 25 .....ce.ee 000% 28} 308]..... S550!) Zyl 1,075! 1,105} 30 April 25—May 30......+.. Son0G00000 Bn Bis lsagc0000¢ 280 1,105} 1,140) 35 May 30—June 27. .ecccecescvece 28) 308) ..---- 200. 224 1,140) 1,158} 18 June 27—August 1. .........-.200- 35 Bis logno0 bacooll Aso 1,158) 1,185} 27 August 1—August 29. .......... 28) 308]..... 224 1,185} 1,223) 38 August 29—September 26......... 28) 369). . 224 1,223) 1,255) 32 September 26—October 31........ 35] 455]. ween ee. 280 1,255) 1,268) 13 October 31—Noveimber 28......... 28) B364)....05 oe 224 1,268) 1,307) 39 November 28—December 23..... Oe BIR Goon oon!) IG 1,307; 1,300| —7 Totals ..-.--- Sess: a Pees ee 843.5|7783.5 4,728|4,818.5||......|-.. « | 969 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 45- TABLE XXVIII. FOODS EATEN AND GAINS OF LIVE WEIGHT—ENTIRE EXPERIMENT. STEER 3. Foop EATEN. WEIGHTS. lg H | le: é | # | S883 /£25)/36| 2 |e 4 | SB Vosiae |S eal sie) ta) |e 1893, September 1—September 28...... 28 *782| 29 285} 309) 24 September 28—October 26........ 28 128 *261.5 5.5 309; 331} 22 October 26—November 30.........| 35 NM osodooo0e 81.5 331; 361] 30 Noveinber 30—December 28. ... 28 IGSico0s coos 82 361} 389} 28 December 28—January 25 ......-. 28 136 $300} 98 389] 410) 21 1894, January 25—February 22 ...... cool) BS 56 $700) 111 410} 453) 48 February 22—March 29........... 35 70 $875} 140 453) 509) 56 March 29—April 26...... .... ....| 28 56 $700) 112 509} 559) 50 April 26—May 381......... ... 3S opoll. es 148 {875) 140 559} 621) 62 May 31—June 28. ...........0ec0ee 28 280 lerieeetstelelar 112 621| 661) 40 June 28—July 26........... soocaccal| . 243 250 |Byeretererereleiels 112 661; 701) 40 July 26—September 6............ 42 420 |eleieie\e ee 193 701) 750) 49 September 6—October 4.......... 28 ZB0 latieterererctete 140 750| 780) 30 October 4—November l..........- 28 PN ls5060a6ce 144 780; 801) 21 November 1—December 6.....-.. | (35 SO} adoo. sooo 249 801} 862] 61 December 6—January 3 .......... 28 VIXN EGonasoo0e 224 862} 875) 138 1895, January 3—January 31............ 28 280)|lereletelorieleres 224 875} 913] 38 January 3l—February 28 ......... | 98 PANN ocoda Gooe 224 913} 950} 37 February 28—March 28 ..... ..... 28) |. 280) .... .... 224 950} 994) 44 March! 28—April2b i. sce eee «= |) 2S GFN} codacaces 224 994] 1,036] 42 /Njorat Cig BM) Bopboo eoeds 4 ‘ololl . oi SH looogacases 280 1,036) 1,080} 44 May 30—June 27............ 2000000 | 28 280 | tetetstoteteleter= 224 1,080} 1,114) 34 June 27—August 1..........6 ...0.! 35 SAN! oa sods 280 1,114) 1,127} 138 August 1—August 29.............. 28 WEVisopacococa 224. 1,127) 1,163} 36 August 29—September 26......... 28 BBP lodo. Goooon 224 1,163) 1,208) 45 September 26—October 31........ 35 AD () \irayeatetereter= 280 1,208) 1,248) 40 October 31—November 28......... 28 SB ocodooade 224 1,248} 1,290} 42 November 28—December 10..... 5 113 1B%}) conodsdde 92 1,290} 1,280} 10 TRay TTS se ecg a ag a | 933.5} 6,811] 4,493.55| 4,737||......| .-.-. 1,015 * Field corn. j Southern corn silage. t Field corn silage. * Field corn. 7 Southern corn silage. t Field corn silage. 46 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE XXIX. FOODS EATEN AND GAINS OF LIVE WEIGHT—ENTIRE EXPERIMENT. STEER 4. FOOD EATEN. WEIGHTS. : B ses HS5]| 2s | cos las & | | 222 |58)| 22) 82 |é2 1893, September 1—September 28...... 28 eerrerere *763| 29.5 318 235 20 September 28—October 26 ....... 28) 128 *256| 35.5 338} 366] 38 October 26—November 30.... Bl) PGosodc08c0 81.5 366) 385] 19 November 30—December 28.....-. Pell IIS) Guscodee 82 385) 401) 16 December 28—January 25 ....... 25) 136 {300} 98 401} 424) 23 1894, January 25—February 22......... 28 56 {700} 111 424) 468) 44 February 22—March 29 ........... 35| 70 1875) 140 468) 525) 57 March 29—April 26..... codoccaodan 28 56 700} 112 525] ? 57. 48 JA Till 2Q6—Miaiyi Ble sesiecisc ine elec “35| 148 {875} 140 573} 628} 55 May 31—June 28......6..ceseeee 231 le 280 | eeemeeitte 112 628} 680) 52 June 28—July 26. . 25 | 280) lerejermsvetere tale 112 680} 702) 22 July 26—September 6..... ... «.. A? | 420 | Creteraterottate 193 702) 725) 23 September 6—October 4 ......... PANE ORM sogodoadel| IE) 725) 738) 13 October 4—November l........... 28] 280 onde 144 738) 776) 38 November 1—December 6.... -.. 35) B50)... eee eee 249 776} 815) 39 December 6—January 3 ...-.-...- a8| PN osbo eases 224 815} 846} 31 1895, January 3—January 31.-......-ee. 28) 280).........- 224 846} S894) 48 January 31—February 4 ......... 35) Bioaboncedod 28 894) 870) 24 POTS ee eee ee 5,215) 3,520| 4,46912,255.5| etn ve00 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. TABLE XXX. 47 SUMMARY SHOWING TOTALS OF FOODS EATEN AND GAINS MADE BY THE FOUR STEERS DURING ENTIRE EXPERIMENT. Number of days fed...... elelelelvorsisteistaleteletetetleletersisicts 20 MNotal hay eaten—pound’s ..... 20... 0 ccc eee ec ccc ees Total fodder and silage eaten—pounds............ Total mixed grains eaten—pounds..........seeee- Total food eaten—pounds ........ vs soa G00 Initial weights of steers—pounds.......s.eeseeeces End weights of steerS—pound’s ..........sceeeeeees Total gain of each steer—pounds......... ........ Lot 1. LOT 2. PROTEIN— PROTEIN— RICH FOOD. POOR FOOD. 4 a on) = il a al I oO {cd} oO o o o {o>) o — — ~ — mM DM mM mM aa 514 843 833 521 3,414 7,783 6,811 3,520 4,173 4,728 4,493 4,469 2,211 4,818 4,737 2,253 9,700 | 17,829 || 16,041 10,234 221 345 285 318 958 1,307 1,290 $70 737 962 1,005 552 48 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE XXXI. DRY MATTER AND DIGESTIBLE MATTER EATEN BY THE FOUR STEERS DURING THE ENTIRE EXPERIMENT, WITH RELATION OF FOOD TO GROWTH. DRY MATTER DIGESTIBLE MATTER EATEN. EATEN. | | Keys Qn, : s Pee Ihe teat Oe males Siem Z| | Sa |, Oa D i2/s ae loat ce) ie) Wh aahct ona rey |) Ue |) ee) Sse (Seo) |s| Bs Sjfsl er ereill Ie Sl || eS £2 Bse\s2| $3 || £8 leee| 22 | 52 | Se Bal Salas) Salles logs] ealaa| as Protein—rich ration. STEER 1. In silage, 4,173 pounds .| 89.0) 590.6) 19.0) 698.6), 51.4) 451.3) 15.2) 497.9 In hay, 3,414 pounds... | 230.7/2499.4) 99.3) 2829.4)| 113.0|1476.9| 56.7/1646.6 In grains, 2,211 pounds.!| 563.0/1290.2/108.3) 1961.5|| 454.3) 961.2) 87.8]1503.3 Total in 514 days....| 887.7/4380.2|221.6) 5489.5]; 618.7/2869.4| 159.7/3647.8|...... Eaten daily...........06 1.73} 8.52) .43) 10.78)| 1.20) 5.58 «32|| GelO) W552 Protein—Poor ration. STEER 4. In silage, 4,469 pounds .|; 96.0) 635.8) 20.5) 752.3)| 55.1) 465.6) 16.4 In hay, 3,520 pounds... | 287.6)2577-3/102.4| 2917.3]| 116.0)1522.7| 57.9 In grains, 2,255 pounds.| 272.9/1553.5) 96.6) 1923.0)| 199.2}1275.5| 79.2 Total in 521 days....| 606.5/4766.6/219.5| 5592.6]| 370.3]/3263.8] 153.5/3787.6].. ...|_ Eaten daily ............: Nols) Beli ee. WOn7 -71| 6.26 30) iloan| Le Oet Protein—rich ration. STEER 2. In silage, 4,728 pounds .| 102.2) 675.6) 21.7) 799.5|| 59.7; 487.9) 17.4) 565.0 In hay, 7,783 pounds....| 526.1/5698.1/226.6| 6450.8]| 257.5/3366.9| 129.2/3753.6 Infgrains, 4,818 pounds. |1185.2)2685.3|/205.1} 4075.6)| 948.2)1997.9) 174.3/3120.4 Total in 848 days....|1813.5/9059.0/453.4/11325.9]|1265.4/5852 .7| 320.9/7439.0}...... Haten daily... ..cccce 9.15) 10.7 -54| 18.43]/ 1.50) 6.95 -38| 8.83} 1:5.2 Proteun—poor ration. STEER 3. i In’silage, 4,493 pounds .| 96.6] 639.5) 20.6) 756.7|| 56.1) 468.4) 16.5) 541.0 In hay, 6,811 pounds....| 460.4/4986.3/198.8| 5645.5)| 225.3/2946.4| 113.0/3284.7 In grains, 4,737 pounds.| 573.0/8284.8)/201.4| 4059.2)| 418.3/2713.6) 165.2/3297.1 Total in 833 days....|1130.0/$910.6)420.8|10461.4/| 699.7/6128.4) 294.7|/7122.8].. Eatenzdaily.. ......... 1.36] 10.69) .50} 12.55 -84| 7.36 .30| 8.55) 1:9.7 eaten for each Ib. Digestible matter gain of live w’t. Lbs. 4.95 “1 ~1 oo 7.08 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. TABLE XXXII. SUMMARY OF TABLE XXXI. DRY MATTER DIGESTIBLE E D s MATERIAL EATEN pat etc a DAILy. Daily gain in live weight—pounds hydrates— pounds. Fats— hydrates— Vrotein— pounds. Carbo- pounds. Total— pounds. Protein— pounds. Carbo- pounds. Fats— pounds. Total— pounds. Nutritive ratio. gain of live weight— eaten foreach pound pounds. Digestible matter PROTEIN—RICH FOOD. Steer 1, fed 514 days ... 1.43}1.73) 8.52) .48) 10.78/|1.20) 5.58] .32/7.10 Steer 2, fed 843 days ... 1.14)2.15) 10.74) .54) 13.43/)1.50) 6.95) .35/8.83 PROTEIN—POOR FOOD. Steer 3, fed 521 days... 1.06/1.16) 9.15) .42} 10.73} fon =" for) no fer) -30/7 27 Steer 4, fed 833 days ... 1.20/1.36) 10.69) .50} 12.55 ~ a1 lon) xz -I ey) er) 9 ou Dn ot iS) = ie) “1 50 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE XXXITI. DRY AND DIGESTIBLE MATTER EATEN BY THE FOUR STEERS, DURING THE FIRST FIFTEEN MONTHS OF THE EXPERIMENT, CONSIDERED IN FJVE PERIODS, WITH RELATION OF FOOD TO GAIN. DRY MATTER CON- | DIGESTIBLE MATTER SUMED IN ENTIRE || _ CONSUMED IN Bes PERIODS. | ENTIRE PERIODS. Ze Os g |g9 l 2 =e sui eet 2 SE 25 | Ss = 2H) a b (SI ale od a ae lose] c| le lige lose ol lo eulBoge Se lStelis| Ge || SE lSa5]| 6) SS eSsloscea OS [Rosle si eos Os Jet sles] 25 |SES5/a3 wos BO |SROIS SC! OO || HO |SRolSO| OS |Oooln aud BS DSS SS RA) RS SARS fa JR Ra Roos T Period 1. 91 days—Sept. | 1 to Novy. 30, 1893. | Steer cpeeesecee seas 73.4/469.0 |23.0 565-4 | 48.3) 314.6,16.7| 379.6} 106 3.58 STEEL een o eee nee $9.5,601.5 |27.6) 718.6) 57.4) 405.0/19.9) 482.3) 106 4.55 Steer 3. ..... 68-5/538.92)/23.4) 630.8)| 41.4) 371.4/16.5) 429.3 7 5.65 reid case 5 Sopsc0- 66.8|528.7 |22.8| 618.3)| 40-3) 363.2/17.1) 420.6 67 6.28 Period 2. 8&4 days—Dec. 1 to Feb. 22, 1894. Stecrplecsccciesseecac 109.1/574.9 |31.2) 715.2)| 73.5) 377.9.22.9) 474.3) 120 3.95 SAPP Sogonosso00s+ 114.5/634.2 |33.5) 782.2) 76.2) 412.8 24.3) 513.3) 112 4.58 Sra! Bsocosesoososnce 78.3/606.2 |29.0) 713.5) 46.5) 415.7/20.7) 482.9 92 5.25 Sheen ereeseseeseces 78.3|606.2 |29.0| 713.5|| 46.5) 415.7|/20.7) 482.9 83 5.82 Period 3. 98 days—Feb. 23 to May 31, 1894. SUPEEIE Ilbaspon5e5555000 167.6/749.5 |38.6) 956.0)) 117.4) 524.230.1) 671.7 183 3.67 SHEP Pocodoscess Gaoe 117.0/840.5 |42.1/1059.6)| 122.4) 579.8/32.2) 724.4] 186 3.94 Steers pease -| 120.7/820.2 |37.1) 978.0|| 76.1] 607.7/29.5) 713.3] 168 4.95 See bopsoe aosas50e 120.7/820.2 |37.1) 978.0), 76.1) 607.7/29.5) 713.3) 160 4.46 Period 4. 98 days—June 1 to Sept. 6, 1894. | Srmgeilbecss, 6oansoo00 174.1|946.6 |44.8/1165.5|| 118.7] 594.5/30.1) 743.3) 128 5.80 Stécit se eee-eeeeesnee 180.7|1018.4 /47.6)1246.7|| 121.9) 636.8 31.7) 790.4; 111 7-11 SHC Coser alescina= seis 117.0/1009.9/42.2)1169.1)| 69.5) 665.1/27.5| 762.1 129 5.90 SieerAeese-) oeel eee 117.0/1009.9/42.2)1169.1)| 69.5) 665 127.5 762.1 7 7-85 Period 5. 91 days—Sept. 7 to Dec. 6, 1894. Sheerilesce sc eseeiseeee 198.3) 963.8/44.5)1210.6|| 139.6) 615.2.33.8) 788.6] 145 5.44 SUE 5 Ao56 tonc064e 204.5/1030.8)51.1,1286.4)) 142.6) 654.5 35.3) 832.4 98 8.50 Steer 3........-22--+-| 126.3/1029.1/50.6/1206.0|| 77.4) 693.7/34.9) 806.0) 112 7.26 Steer cscnmeriercicies cas 126.3)1029.1 50.6/1206.0)| 77.4) 693.7 34.9 806.0 90 8.96 | i AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. TABLE XXXIV. 51 DAILY FOOD CONSUMPTION AND GROWTH OF STEERS DURING FIRST FIFTEEN MONTHS OF THE EXPERIMENT, CONSIDERED IN FIVE PERIODS. DRY MATTER DIGESTIBLE CONSUMED DAILy. MATTER CONGDAED call i 2 el Mesilla 2 a 5 lee E2S22/58) £2 |ES\S e232) 68 BRE Period 1. 91 days. September 1 to November 30, 1893. More protein in ration | Steer 2....| 198) 6.61) -30| 7-90)| .68) 445| 139) 5.30/16 Less protein in ration | Steer 41.10| <3) 5.82/25) 6-80|| ii] 4.00) <8] 4.02) [73 Period 2. 84 days. December 1 to February 22, 1894. More protein in ration | Steep 21.. |1.36) 7.55] -40| 9:81|| ‘91| 4.91| 80| Gl) 1.38 Less protein in ration | Steer 4."-| 93] 1.22| a4] S49|| 133] 4.93, 24] Bld] "199 Period 8. 98 days. February 23 to May 31, 1894. sore protem in sation )SESGE ac EE) LS 8 SUI EM) SA es og Hess protem imation JSST ECIEB) Sasa) 45) ca| $2) By EE EB Period 4. 98 days. June 1 to Sentember 6, 1894. More protein im ration {Steet 1. Zi] 0.68) 49) Hse|1.31/ 6.06] 90) 757] 1.81 Less protein in ration } Steer 42..-|1.20] 10:30] 143| 11-98|/ “1| 6.48] 128) 17] 1.00 Period 5. 91 days. September 7 to December 6, 1894. More protein in ration { Ste 1-218) 1038) 28) 18.90/53] 6.76) 87] 8.68) 1.02 Less protein in ration | Step 4....(1-38| 11.31] 63] 18-24|| “85| 7.63) “Bel Sine] Lee 52 MAINE STATE COLLEGE In order to clearly present the facts relative to the comparative effects of the two rations upon the growth of the steers, as shown by the preceding figures, it is desirable to first review briefly the history of the experiment. Two pairs of steers were fed, one pair receiving a ration with a nutritive ratio of about 1:5.2 and the other pair, a ration with a much wider nutritive ratio, or one of about 1:9.7. When the experi- ment had progressed forabout seventeen months, one steer from each pair was taken out and slaughtered, and the other two steers were fed for ten months longer. The rations were weighed daily and the steers weekly, and the silage and grains were analyzed, so that it is possible to consider the relations of food growth during the entire experiment or any part of it. If we consult the foregoing figures we see very clearly that the two rations were quite unlike in their effect during the early stages of the experiment, the nitrogenous ration producing much the larger amount of growth. As the steers became older and the rations increased in quantity, the difference in the rates of growth produced by the two rations was somewhat less marked, until, at the age of seventeen months, the growth of the two pairs was not greatly unlike. TABLE XXXV. Ss ro ro) o i) = Reh ee ae oe 59 = he O4e ars ac. | Be. | FEZ | of moe | wre | san | 25h oOo On 2 Aa os ra Baa | £22 | ose | See At beginning of experiMent......cceseeee coeeee 566 603 —37 At end of three MOnthS ..... cc. ereeeee cocseees 778 746 +32 69 INH VIG! COV? Khb-< TNVOPMAN ES odoGeoodeooG none.» CGGDGdO 1,010 921 +89 57 IN AENOLOyt FAN OKEY TAOKOINIE ONS) BoGo0do) ooGG ‘UDo00Do COKde 1,379 1,249 +130 41 At end of twelve months .........-. onodeso 404000 1,618 1,475 +143 18 At end of fifteen months...........0 wcccsecccsee 1,861 1,677 +184 41 At end of seventeen MOnthS.........ccseeseceeee 1,981 1,807 +174 —10 Not only do the above figures plainly indicate the superiority for the young animals of the ration richer in protein, but the same fact was made very evident by the general condition of the steers. Steers 1 and 2 had an appearance of greater thrift than steers 3 and 4 which was unmistakable. The superiority of the protein rich over the protein-poor ration during the first year of growth is shown emphatically, also, by the difference in digestible dry matter required in the two cases to produce a pound of growth. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 53 TABLE XXXVI. DIGESTIBLE MATTER REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ONE POUND OF GROWTH. ee Oa ne ns During first three months...... .. od bo000 4000000 doodosoccuconacae dooua00 4.06 5.96 During second three Months............ses+eeee oo95500 650000 Soo0dRC o.| 4.26 5.53 During third three months ..... ..... nooo dsacooccdaoddd 9004 dqsogdeecor 3.83 4.35 During fourth three months...............+- Siilefatatenetstecieietsieteisieietesinicieteeres 6.45 | 6.87 Durine Arh GHTee MONS! sree, ello) alnlsjel-lelejajelsls civiale!) (slvielelsie/ejelel-(eis lela)” e\e)al=ie 6.97 8.08 ANWORA® copcocodobpocgddcdoog oo) HOdob0008 cdo doocoocesacoDoMRODDNS §.11 6.16 After two animals were slaughtered at the end of seventeen months, the Jater results with the other two animals at greater age were not the same. These latter steers were fed ten months longer than theothers andduring that time the steer eating the ration richer in protein gained 284 pounds and the steer receiving the larger pro- portion of carbohydrate food gained 377 pounds, a difference in favor of the latter of 93 pounds. Nething can be ciearer, than that with the particular animals fed, the superiority of the protein-rich ration over the other dimin- ished as the steers increased in age. In seeking for an explanation of this fact we may not go far amiss if we consider that the amount of digestible matter in an animal’s food must reach a certain abso- lute quantity before any can be spared for the formation of new tissues. If the nutritive ratio is wide the small ration of the very young animal supplies so little protein that the quantity is inade- quate to meet the demands of the possible active growth of that period of life. When, however, the ration is increased to the capac- ity of the older and larger animal the absolute quantity of protein fed, even in a wide-ratio ration, is sufficient for a generous growth of tissue. It should be remembered that an animal’s capacity for growth does not increase proportionately with the age and weight, or so rapidly as does the capacity for food consumption, consequent- ly with an unvarying nutritive ratio the protein supply is likely to be more nearly adequate with the two-year-old steer than with the yearling. It has been the opinon of the writer for some time that the standard rations known as German rations are entirely con- sistent with facts in at least two particulars: 1st. They call for a diminishing proportion of protein in the ra- tion of growing animals as the animals proceed toward maturity. 54 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 2nd. They call for a larger proportion of protein in the ration of the milch cow than in that of the somewhat mature steer. We believe that the experiment under discussion gives evidence that tends to substantiate this opinion. THE INFLUENCE OF THE RATIONS UPON THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOD- IES OF THE STEERS. When this experiment was planned it was determined to undertake the somewhat arduous task of making a chemical analysis of the en- tire bodies of the experimental steers, the purpose of this costly piece of work being to determine whether the composition of their bodies was materially modified by the proportions of nutrients in the food. This plan was carried out and the organs and carcasses of the four animals were analyzed, the only part omitted being the skin and hair. These are believed to be the only fairly complete an- alyses of the bodies of mature bovines since those made by Lawes & Gilbert nearly forty years ago, whose results were published in 1858. Separation of parts, sampling and analyses. When the steers were killed the blood was caught in a tub which was set under a small trap door in the floor. The animals were then dressed and the yarious organs and parts were weighed as soon as removed, the carcasses being also weighed in the green condition. The various organs and divisions of the body were taken to the laboratory and sampled for analysis as rapidly as the work could be performed. It was not over forty-eight hours after the animals were killed before the samples of all the various parts were secured and in the process of drying. The manner of obtaining the samples was as follows: In the case of the organs such as the heart. liver, lungs, &c., they were minced very fine by being run through a power Enterprise Meat Chopper. This minced material was thoroughly mixed and then large samples were selected for drying. The flesh of the right side of each carcass was entirely removed from the bones, the muscular tissues and the adipose tissues being separated mechanically as fully as possible and thrown into separate dishes. Both the lean portions and the fat were entirely passed through the meat chopper, large samples being selected from each portion for drying. The lean meat samples were dried and the samples of fat were bottled without dry- ing in air tight jars and kept very cold until analysis. The intestinal and kidney fats were treated in the same way as the body fat. The samples were brought to an air-dry condition in a drying clos- et heated by a coil of steam pipe, the temperature of which varied from 50 to 60 degrees C., or 120 to 140.degrees F. The air-dry samples were finally prepared for analysis by passing them through a mill. The samples of fat which were enclosed in jars a AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 55 without previous drying were submitted to analysis in the fresh con- dition, the amount of water in adipose tissue being so small as to allow this. For the determination of the fat in these latter materials by extraction with either, unusually large portions were used, approximately 20 grams, and _ several single determinations were made from such samples. In fact this precaution was taken in every case where the sample contained so much fat as to render the sampling less perfect than was desirable. The percentages of protein given are those obtained “‘by difference.” Having then the weights of the various organs and parts of the animals and knowing from analysis their percentage composition, it became possible to calculate the proportions of water, ash, protein and fats in the entire animals as well as in the several divisions of the body. In the tables which immediately follow are displayed very fully the facts which appear from these mechanical and chemical analyses. Table XXXVII. Weights of the various organs and parts of the steers’ bodies. Table XXXVIII. Composition of the organs and parts of the steers’ bodies in the fresh condition. Table XXXIX to XLII. Composition of the water-free substance of the organs and parts of the steers’ bodies with the calculated weights of ash, protein and fat in the same. Table XLIII. Composition of the entire bodies of the steers, ex- elusive of skin and contents of stomach and intestines. Tables XLIV to XLVII. Composition of the carcassesof the steers. Tables XLVIII to LI. Composition of the edible portion of the earcasses of the steers. Table LIT. Summary of Tables XLIV to XLVI. Table LITT. Summary of Tables XLVIII to LI. Table LIV. Proportions of edible materials in the carcasses of the steers. Table LV. Summary Table LIV. Table LVI. Proportions of non-edible material in the entire bodies of steers. Table LVII. Composition of increased growth of older steers. 56 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE XXXVII. WEIGHTS OF THE VARIOUS PARTS OF STEERS, IN FRESH CONDITION. PROTEIN— PROTEIN— RICH RATION.|POOR RATION. ‘ dd | dg | da | 4 #2 | e2 | 22 | es IDO) ERM pose 55.5056 Bao .do0S0gdeRo5O socADSSooddos -| 958.0) 1,300.0) 1,280.0} 870.0 External refuse: Satin, scagaccsassntacads Sdataga5 See S504. 00n005¢ occccene 73.6 96.0 92.5 64.7 Head.....- moodoodsa 9 penboads sAOoCOHGEOGOSD0S As0a7a0C 29.9 32.5 34.0 26.5 ME CT apie) eisiee'= eleleietelalaini= Seonn6es Sosonoboo2eS 9005+ 18.5}, 22.9 en) 15 Internal refuse: | Stomach .........- NcOS0o SodReDobdaSIScosnOsaoO OC0DS 25.8| 35-7) 26.5 26.7 Contents of stomach .........- sopcopapno0NS 596 9506 126.4, 160.8] 178.5 91.4 Small intestine ........--+.e- sooeenodsso30nos969> ° 15.4, 10.1, 9.6) ! 12.6 Large intestine ........ Beeenone esc eerste eee iq Pestese: |. Jest) mert0\,) Contents of small intestine........... 5 O005005 a6 23.2 12.9 15.4 } 26.5 Contents of large intestine ....... eM eee neice : ty aiafeie 17 7 28.7 j Intestinal fats. i. oNS00 a 3-7 4.8 4.5) 2.9 Lungs and trachea......+.. ete tee Beebe 6:4) S|. Tasso! 7-0 Heart and) attach ments)--<--sic-s2 es eeacesneee .| 6.9 11.7) 5.6) 5.1 WGTVOD s)cyeciteseeisseeeeier eases siocccie stan eae eeiaeuts -s+| 10.3) 12.5) 10.7 9.3 KGANeYS ..--ccccccessee eia\eiw\e s\s/elelele\eia}(alaisielalsinio Mo 'ayelsieaim | 1.8 2.5) 2.0| 1.9 Kadney, fatsscs seo eee ALA DOCS SRE BDO sonhaee banaue |. 15.3} 22.8] 21.4) 15.2 LEP MVOREG ISS concctne Soocoossode oodoosoncaadaccsoscoo¢ ; 1.1 33) 9 ned! STON nasocnsGasdaes SoS SDoKOSSaddoD sb nOnCcUDSoaDOT 1.4 ils) 2.0 1.5 Bladder, CtC....- cece cece ee cence cecccccccseeescece 4 1.3 1.2 5 Diaphragm..... 5 500000305¢ 56S banboGODOND ADSSSoDODO0NC 2.6 3.9 4.6| 2.9 Gall bladder and Contents... .........ceessccene coscece | 9 6 A) 6 Iileenh peeeco-socusonns, Soubeesooqoson Soonscao: sa0022- -.| 84.3] 49.8) 46.3) 38.3 Fore quarter, right Sid€.:...-..eeeeeee oe REO SAOSOO- O06 | 127.6) 173.5 175.0) 123.2 Hind quarter, right side........... denddonodgoonsananaes | 146.9) 195.0 195.0) 131.4 Fore quarter, left side.....+.-...++ BR ees ite wees) | 278-7] 165.0] 162.5) ) 259.2 Hind quarter, left side ........... oe nee ee : | eee 207.0) 200.0) Whole Carcass ..--.-c.0. ose sioisieletelalete soncb00055 eos ccce| S0a-z) 740.5 732.9 513.8 } } AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 5? TABLE XXXVIII. COMPOSITION OF THE ORGANS AND PARTS OF THE STEERS’ BODIES, IN THE FRESH CONDITION. Bed » HOD 1s + ne} te || Spiele a4 = | AS | RS2 1 es 2 12 EXTERNAL REFUSE. So | Sane} £e | 9 Le $3 |25| 23 | a3 | as Bea |Faa| Ga | ee | se Lean meat. Of head .........ceessccese Steer 1 67.04 32.96 18.26 13.79 -91 Steer 2 68.38) 31.62} 17.88) 12.76) 1.03 Steer 3 69.30} 30.7 18.31} 11.43 - 96 Steer 4 80.27; 19.7. 11.78 7-40; — .60 Fat of head........ hbo: ‘Dons BOHO00G “Ab00 Steer 1 20.40) 79.60 14.61 64.50 -49 Steer 2 8.40) 91.60) 27.34) 63.68 -58 Steer 3 10.90 89.10 19.7 68.38} 1.02 Steer 4 31.80} 68.20} 10.67 7 04 -49 1ROMES Cre NGEKG! Gagoagoaae Oo Badodod0S -. Steer 1 18.91 81.09] 35.25 13.33] 32.51 Steer 2 25.10 74.90 23.87 19.22) 31.81 Steer 3 24.70} 75.30) 26.34) 18.59} 30.37 Steer 4 16.10) 83.90} 30.01] 16.387) 37.52 IN@GE socscaoddhoongnaos cuDde cele} ofeleleieveteysis Steer 1 32.23) 67.77) 35.71] 11.24] 20.82 Steer 2 32.60) 67.40) 35.55 9.29) 22.56 Steer 3 37.40) 62.60} 29.99) 11.41) 21.20 Steer 4 31.30} 68.70} 33.53) 14.88] 20.79 INTERNAL REFUSE. SGOMMAC TUS yeietetstoreialersiel-leletereisis Natarslasleeie tier Steer 1 75.68} 24.32) 13.91 9.49 -91 Steer 2 72.62 27.38 14.62 11.09 No Steer 3 73.80 26.20 12.65 12.00) 1.55 Steer 4 74.55 25.45 13.40 10.84) 1.21 Large intestines. ............ceseeeee: Steer 2 72.69| 27.31 9.01; 16.89} 1.41 Steer 3 68.97 31.03 11.76 18.38 -89 Small intestines ..... bo600e) HObBO dodo Steer 2 44.00; 56.00} 16.25) 37.91} 1.79 Steer 3 82.66} 17.34 6.64) 10.08 -62 Large and small intestines........... Steer 1 78.70) 21.30 8.03} 12.53 74 Steer 4 74.37 25.63 11.43 13.02} 1.18 Intestinal fat ..... . ...... selelelarsisieleieen SLE CLI 9.60} 90.40 3.29) 86.90 21 Steer 2 6.40 93.60 2.19 91.28 -13 Steer 3 5.90 94.10 4.32 $9.68 - 10 Steer 4 10.40 89.60 3.68 85.74 -18 134s lo occogogdong db000G00DDGDOUDdOOURD0R0N Steer 1 $1.83 18.17 17.26 -10 Sl Steer 2 82.70} 17.30) 16.46 -08 -76 Steer 3 80.62 19.38 18.55 ollat 72 | Steer 4 82.38 17.62 16.82 -10 -70 Bladder ..... ..... eireledoteleietatelsreieieictererste - Steer 1 61.00} 39.00) 28.03 9.77) 1.20 Steer 2 65.29} 34.71) 18.02) 15.86 -83 Steer 3 62.52} 37.48) 16.26) 20.49 -73 Steer 4 74.22} 25.78) 19.80 5.11 -87 DTA MT ASTI sl raievelelnisielelo stsleleisints steteeyere «ee, Steer 1 61.50} 38.50) 18.18} 19.52 80 Steer 2 47.20 52.80 7.45 34.56 -S1 Steer 3 52.94 7.06 16.87 29.60 -59 Steer 4 53.35 46.64 17.10} 28.81 -73 MOOS IEAL So600) OGscK0booudDOnDUaSaHODe Steer 1 22.67 AUS 6.84 70.10 -39 Steer 4 18.90 81.10 7.98 72.81 oat He arbh attach nents! a. ccc. cleleciee secs) cei Steer 1 40.70 59.30 9.57 49.23 -50 58 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE XXXVIII—ConcLUDED. COMPOSITION OF THE ORGANS AND PARTS OF THE STEERS’ BODIES, IN THE FRESH CONDITION. | o | : DO P | Pace | se ‘s = x5 |2e5| ae 5 g ORGANS. | 2° | S22} So [2 lo |} £8 |Se8)1 eo | ss | BB | Eo |Faa| wa | se | TER) a 111.1 41.2 || 69.9 19.37) 20.91 92 Percentage composition hind quart’r| ........| ...... a6 62.91 7-44) 18.82 83 Percentage composition water-free .| .....2.| .esene- .| SOO Ge 47.02} 50.75) 2.23. | bs. | ibs. | Ibs. {Ibs MOLE GUAT a ateellesisieiaienele faeraleiniel-iaier 101.1 36.95 64.15) 17.88) 18.22 85. Hind quarter .........+. so0dsosaS beecee 111.1 41.20 69.90] 19.37) 20.91 92: Percentage composition of side . ...| .... -.| ...- .-. || 68.18 7-56} 18.44) .82 Percentage composition water-free.| .....-.+| ..sesee- eee eee] 47-66) 50-07) 2.27 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 67 TABLE XLIX. COMPOSITION OF THE EDIBLE PORTION OF THE CARCASS. STEER 2. WEIGHTS. WEIGHTS OF CONSTITUENTS. Lean of fore quarter ...... ss0e seeeee Fat of fore quarter..... Seiaiaarail (ere ecaeied.s Percentage composition fore quarter Percentage composition water-free . Lean of hind quarter....iccssces eoees Hat OL DING QUALLS. 0%: ev sseeceeecewes Percentage composition hind quart’r Percentage composition water-free . Fore quarter.... ...-. sietecs ten eenees PEIN TL CRITE TDE Tere’ ste csicieie eis) ceca. aig cceiciatele oc 5 Percentage composition of side. ... Percentage composition water-free . eeecsess| coe coe vo 2 a | | 33 aS la | sa a : 42 | 83 || 83 | 82] 12 | 12 £6 | £2 || 85 | £3 | #8 | @5 me a Fa |/ aa |] aa | 4 109.9] 34.1]| 75.80] 19.85] 13.25] 1.02 30.3; 23.1/| 7.20] +245] 20.56] 09 140.2] 57.2/| 23.00, 22.30| 33.79) 1.11 % % easter ct neiuastes 59.20] 15.90/ 24.10/ *.79 uti Neel eweec wl atcutae 38.99] 59.07] 1.94 6.50 4.44) 29.86 10 2 87.60} 26.72) 40.27) 1.22 . 56.24 15 of 95 Maen rilhitereeea tte 39.18) 59.04) 1.78 eeecceee| seeeere 68 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE L. COMPOSITION OF THE EDIBLE PORTION OF THE CARCASS. STEER 3. | | | WEIGHTS. | WEIGHTS OF CONSTITUENTS. 2 | 2 Bee || eee plo | See | =-o xe Ss I ao 2 | Be | FS || ES | es 7 ee | <2, || | Nl Lean of fore quarter -.... -........-. 107.7) 32.6)| 75.10) 21.20) 10.39) 1.01 | | Fat of fore quarter ..........2.00-c0s 31.7 25.1 6.60 2.50 22.49 -10 jE sects] | 139.4 57-7 | $1.70 oe 32.88] 1-11 ] | a | 2% LOAN OSG Percentage composition fore quarter) ......--| -..-.+.- 58.61 17-00) 23.59) .80 Percentage composition water-free.| ... ....| .....--. Soescss: 41.08) 56.99 1.92 / i | lbs. | Ibs. | lbs. | Ibs. Lean of hind quarter................- | 110.0 31.9|| 78-10) 22.04) 8.80) 1.07 Pat of hind Quarter. -cccss- cesnci- = | 39.5 32.8 6.7 1.78| 30.92! 10 ; 149.5] 64.7|| 84-80] 23.82] 39.72) 1.17 eel | yEN oe ip cons 2 7 Percentage composition{hind quart’r) ........|.. Scoso- 56-71) 15.94, 26.57 Br | | Percentage composition water-free.| ........| ....+--- pseonca- 36.82) 61-38) 1.80 | POre .q(uAebetsco eee eae ee .| 189.4) 57.7|| 81.70] 28.70] 32.8x] 1.11 TE bie] Copper Petes jogs ogo 50509000 2 595000C 149.5 64.7|| 84.80} 23.82) 39 72) 1.17 | 288.9 122.4|| 166.50) 47.52) 72.60, 2.28 % | % | % | % Percentage composition of side ....- | socinnee-| woccenns 57.63). 16.45) 25.13} .79 Percentage composition water-free.| Soodnose||isosso50: | igen 38.83) 59.31] 1.86 | on AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. TABLE LI. 69 COMPOSITION OF THE EDIBLE PORTION OF THE CARCASS. STEER 4. WEIGHTS. WEIGHTS OF CONSTITUENTS. oO 2 oi | [ees plete sete | ae | 5, = | ES | Ga | se | ae Lean of fore quarter ............ - 500 80.8 24.5 56.30 15.91 7.81 “18 Fat of fore quarter ..........-- sse.-. 14.4 11.8 2.60 46; 11.30 04 95.2 36.3] 58-90 916-37! 19.10] <2 a % | % % | % Percentage composition fore quarter) ...-....| ... +. 61.87 17.20) 20.07 8 Percentage composition water-free.| .....-..| --..-2-+||--eeeeee 45.10] 52.64] 2.96 Ibs Ibs. lbs. Ibs. Lean of hind quarter..........++...... 85.4 26.9 58.50 7.51 8.53 86 Fat of hind quarter. ....-...........-. 14.3 12.6 1.70 1.10 11.46 -03 99.7 39.5 60.20} 18.61) 19.99 89 Sp elite Zo 6 % | % Percentage composition hind quart’r) ........| .......- 60.38] 18.67) 20.06 -89 Percentage composition water-free . INGIRS. GIENRIGosé6non os00e GoDaGKDOSeE dad 95. | EAH INGICH EAT HE Ty oyetelersteteleleieveicleieie/-ieieiatelsi «(cleat 99. 194. Percentage composition of side .....| ....... ~ Percentage composition water-free . a] see ec cee || seer ees ee ee TABLE LII. PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OF TOTAL DRESSED CARCASS. Protein rich food Protein poor food { Steer 1, fed 17 months.. ( Steer 2, fed 27 months.. { Steer 3, fed 27 months.. ( Steer 4, fed 17 months.. IN FRESH SUB- IN WATER-FREE STANCE. SUBSTANCE. ie{te] 2] si] de} 2 re gs = o/s lol] Zo Le Io aH iS ~ = Bl AS 2 al ae He Bal@aleelallaalea| 4a 59.02] 17.89] 18.53/4.56]| 43.66) 45.23) 11.11 51.91) 16.93} 25.86]5.30}| 35.20) 53.78} 11.02 52.16} 17.10) 25.32/5.42]| 35.75] 52.90) 11.35 56.30) 17.52) 20.27/5.61)|| £0.77) 46.39) 12.84 70 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE LIII. COMPOSITION OF EDIBLE PORTION OF DRESSED CARCASSES, EXCLUSIVE OF KIDNEY FAT. Fore quarter, steer 1... ...seeee eee eeeeeneee Total jside, steer IN per cent. Se Water— ~ fer) 59.21 58.01 61.87 62.91 56-24 56-71 60.38 63.18 57.63 7. 34 61.12 FRESH SUB- STANCE. per cent. per cent. Protein— Ash— Fat— 17.69} 18.01 15.90) 24.10 17.25) 23.93 17.20) 20.07 17.44] 18.82 17.15] 25.85 15.94) 26.57 18.67} 20.06 17.56} 18.44 16.56) 25.03 16.56} 25.30 17.94) 20.06 per cent. IN WATER-FREE SUBSTANCE. lee ? : Sa | = 3 “5 @. vo oO Bey |! © lo 23/25 | a8 Balea}| ao AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 71 TABLE LIV. PROPORTIONS OF EDIBLE NUTRIENTS IN THE CARCASS. 8 EDIBLE PORTION. dl S S - NUTRIENTS. . | = 2 Se See a é Beadle Nerve |i slinule = Wald Suit SS 2] 3 ) 3) o | » ) = o | zs S SS encanta nics ea | fe es NR | STEER 1. Total fore quarter .......... 6005000 eeesreee-| 18.30) 81.70) 52.74) 28.96) 14.02) 14.27] .67 Total hind quarter ....0 ..-crecsesreercsees 13.07] 86.93) 53.85] 33.08} 13.26) 19.19) .63 Total hind quarter without kidney fat..-| 13.78] 82.22) 54.01) 28.21) 13.26) 14.32 -63 \WARONE) ENGI Goa0n" GogccdocoddcnEdeS sgSoodabobe 15.52) 84.43) 53.31) 31.17) 13.61) 16.91 -65 Whole side without kidney fat..........-- 15.97} 84.03| 54.75| 29.28] 13.95) 14.66 67 STEER 2. Total fore quarter ....... adodOQ000 ‘DOdGOUOG 16.83) 83.17} 50.20) 32.97] 12.85) 19.48 64 Total hind quarter . ............ 30 do aood 13.54) 86.46) 45.79] 40.67] 13.84) 26.20! .63 Total hind quarter without kidney fat ...| 14.38) 85.62) 46.06) 39.56) 15.50) 23.36 -70 WWIDOU® SHO oandosadecososcodo0gdd cootoonddda 15.09| 84.91) 47.87| 37.04) 13.37) 23.04 -63 Whole side without kidney fat............ 15.57| 84.43) 49.31) 35.12 13.73, 20.74 -65 STEER 3. | Total fore quarter ...... seesecccssceccscees 18.51} 81.49) 48.52] 32.97| 13.55) 18.79) .63 | . Mota Hind iQuUarter-iccecccscceesecisie esse 13.90} 86.10] 47.60] 38.50/ 12.34) 25.56] .60 | Total hind quarter without kidney fat ...| 14.70) 85.30) 50.20) 35.10) 12.92) 21.55 -63 | WWIEL@ SHOE cosccgsdcovado oo panacoded Glo oC 16.08) 83.92) 48.03] 35.89] 12.91) 22.36 62 Whole side without kidney fat............ 16.56) 83.44) 49.38) 34.06) 13.22) 20.20 64 STEER 4. MOPAWLOL.C GUAT LOT Wee e)elelatere/=e)2)<\e\s\e\s|+lers\eielels|afe 17.54) 82.46) 52.99] 29.47) 13.29) 15.51 -67 MO Gal gi GOW ALEC A lelate ere) =[sioveniejee\e (ele s)elele!-\a)0)> 14.57| 85.43) 49.88] 35.55] 14.31| 20.55) .69 Total hind quarter without kidney fat...) 15.46) 84.54) 52.65} 81.89] 15.02) 16.15 72 \WADOIG SiG l@odoosaneoda o oddbcod0oogaddndseoD 16.00) 84.00} 51.39) 32.61! 13.82} 18.11 -68 - Whole side without kidney fat......... .. 16.49} 83.51) 52.83] 30.68] 14.16) 15.83 -69 72 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE LY. PROPORTIONS OF EDIBLE MATERIAL IN THE DRESSED CARCASSES OF THE FOUR STEERS. == 2 | NUTRIENTS, PROPOR- ain TIONS OF EDIBLE. Sige tail # 3 Z7E ea iS =| Sa Ss : = 2 oge| 23 | 3S | @3 Hea] Ae aS 4m | s Whole side, without kidney fat, steer1..............| 29.28 | 18.95 | 14.66 67 PAIR OGOs: HOSS 35.12 1Bi5783 20.74 65 3) Goon Goosos0 34.06 13:22 20.20 64 LP Gsccocooccss 30.68 14.16 15.83 69 The most important consideration in the experiment which we are now discussing is the relative influence of widely different ra- tions upon the development and composition of the bodies of the ex- perimental animals. We have seen that one pair of steers was fed a much larger amount of protein, both absolutely and relatively to the other food constituents, than the other pair. Of the two steers killed at the end of seventeen months, Steer 1 ate 619 pounds of digestible protein and 3029 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and fats, while Steer 4 ate 370 pounds of digestible protein and 3418 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and fats. In the case of the two steers killed at the end of twenty-seven months Steer 2 ate 1265 pounds of digestible protein and 6174 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and fats, and Steer 3 ate 700 pounds of di- gestible protein and 6422 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and fats. In other words, one pair of steers ate nearly eighty per cent. more protein than the other pair. Did this difference in the nutrition of the animals cause material varia- tions in the general development of their bodies, in the proportion- ate weights of their parts or in the relative quantities of the four classes of constituents water, ash, protein and fat? We have seen that the protein-rich ration caused a more rapid growth of the steers while they were quite young. Did it cause a different growth? In endeavoring to answer this question we must be controlled by the facts secured with reference to (1) The relative weights of the organs and parts of the bodies. (2) The percentage composition of the different organs and parts. (3) The percentage composition of the body as a whole. (4) The percentage composition of the carcass. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. %3 (5) The percentage composition of the edible portions of the carcass. (6) The relative amounts of edible material. It must be borne in mind in this discussion that Steer 1 must be compared with Steer 4, and Steer 2 with Steer 3. (1) The relative weights of organs and parts. Reference to Table shows no marked differencés in the relative weights of the different organs and parts. The proportion of carcass weight, for instance, varies but little in the four animals, as is shown below. i [so 4 re =) {S| (=| co a 1a ay SS BSS Ho Bales Set th Blea at Slr po wo » Oo wd Dy DY MR Oy MD Oy Carcass in per cent of live weight ...... .........22.- 57.7 57.0 57.2 59.0 Proportion of carcass in body minus the skin and contents of the stomach and intestines. ........... 75.2 73.1 Baye) 74.8 A glance at the weights of the different organs reveals no evi- dence that the larger protein supply caused a more vigorous develop- ment of any one of them, neither does it appear that the greater earbohydrate supply increased the quantities of intestinal or kidney fats. (2) Composition of the fresh organs and parts. Thefigures of Tables XXXVIJI to XLII show that the composition of the various organs and parts of the four steers’ bodies was somewhat variable, but there are no differences in this respect which can logically be attributed to the food. The great variation in the water content in the heart is accounted for in part by the greater or less amounts of fat and other attachments which were ground up with that organ. In thecase of the lungs there appears to be no reasonable explanation of the greatly different percentage composition. The figures hint at an error, but a careful examination of the original data does not reveal any. (8) Percentage composition of the entire bodies, exclusive of skin and contents of stomach and intestines. In Tables XXXIX to XLII are calculated the total quantities of protein, fat and ash in the badies of _ the several animals, the skin and contents of stomachs and intestines being ignored. Having these figures and knowing the weights of all the parts in the fresh condition, it is possible to compute the percentage composition of the bodies of the animals as they existed before being killed. This has been done and the results appear in Table XLIII. There certainly is a striking similarity in the com- position of the bodies of the steers of the same age. It is very notice- able that the older steers contain a less proportion of water and pro- tein and a larger proportion of fat,but when we compare Steer 1 with Steer 4, and Steer 2 with 3, the differences are not important, and 74 MAINE STATE COLLEGE we fail to discover any indication that the unlike rations have eaused unlike growth of tissues. (4) Percentage composition of the carcasses (dressed beef.) The car- casses have the same similarity of composition that the entire bodies do. Comparing the dressed beef from the steers of the same age we find essentially the same proportions of water, ash, protein and fat. We observe here as in the case of the entire bodies that the older and more mature and fatter animals furnish beef with a smaller pro- portion of water and protein and a larger proportion of fat than the younger animals do. (5) Composition of the edible portion of the carcasses. This includes in these cases all of the carcass but the bones. Some other material is not edible, such as certain connective tissues (tendons, cartilage &e.) and which would find its way into the kitchen refuse. The bones were al] the non-edible portion, however, which it was easy to separate, and the proportion of edible material is not greatly too large. We still fail to find that the unlike rations have caused es- sential variations in the proportion of water or of any class of con- stituents in the fiesh of the animals. As noted with the dressed beef, the edible parts of the carcasses of the older and maturer steers contain smaller proportions of water and protein and larger propor- tions of fat than is the case with the younger animals. This fact, though not new, endorses the popular belief that “young” beef does not “spend” as well as that from maturer animals. The writer is obliged to confess that he is surprised at the out- come of the investigation under discussion. He had expected that the ration with a liberal supply of protein would cause a more gen- erous development and proporticn of muscular tissue than the other ration generally regarded as somewhat deficient in protein, and that the latter ration would produce animals relatively richer in fat. This expectation is not realized. While the protein-rich ration did for a time cause more growth than the other, we are unable to discover that it was different growth. The fiesh of the animals which ate the ration relatively poor in protein did not differ in general appearance from that of the other animals, and a chemical analysis does not show any essential differ- ence in the proportions of protein and fats. This investigation adds materially to the facts previously known which go to show that the individual animal possesses a_ consti- tutional inertia which may not easily be overcome. It is, perhaps, only when we resort to extreme measures, that we are able to dis- turb the methods of growth to which the animal by breeding is committed. It appears that though the ration varies widely, an ani- mal selects from it and assimilates, such materials as suit the needs and purposes of that particular organism, and that while the rate of production may be very much modified by the character of the ration, the kind of production, whether of meat or of milk, is chiefly AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 75 controlled by the constitutional habit, unless as before stated the conditions of nutrition are rendered very abnormal. These remarks are not offered as a new or final conclusion, but rather as indicating a general law which the feeder must, and al- ready practically does, recognize. It is interesting, at least, to note two other points concerning which the preceding data give definite information. These points are: (1) The proportion of the actual growth of the animal which may ordinarily serve as human food and therefore is most valuable. It is easy to ascertain this proportion in the case of these four steers, and this is given in the table which follows: TABLE LVI. PROPORTIONS OF NON-EDIBLE MATERIAL IN ENTIRE BODIES OF STEERS. »s 2 aE) S | STEER 1. In entire body, exclusive of skin, pounds............ 298.5 | 127.6 | 138.2 32.7 In edible portion, including kidney fat, pounds..... i7Alsal 74.7 92.8 3.6 In non-edible portion, poOundS........seee weceeeseees | 127.4 52.9 45.4 29.1 Per cent in non-edible portion ......... .... Saye eaws 42.7 41.5 32.8 89.0 STEER 2. | In entire body, exclusive of skin, pounds............ 475.0 | 167.9 |} 255.0 52.02 Edible portion, including kidney fat, pounds........ | 273.0 98.6 | 169.7 4.7 In non-edible portion, poundS...........-...seeeeeeees | 202.0 69.3 85.3 47.35 Per cent in non-edible portion .......-.......2ee. oa0no 42 5 41.3 33.4 90.9 STEER 3. In entire body, exclusive of skin, pounds........... 449.6 161.4 237.6 50.6 Edible portion, including kidney fat, pounds ...... 265.6 95.5 | 165.5 4.6 In non-edible portion, poOundS...........06 seecosesee 184.0 65.9 72.1 46.0 Per cent in non-edible portion .......... .......0- 3 40.9 40.8 30.3 90.9 STEER 4. In entire body, exclusive of skin, pounds........ ... 294.7 | 120.3 | 188.8 35.5 Edible portion, including kidney fat, pounds........ 166.0 70.3 92.2 3.4 In non-edible portion, pounds .....seeee. ceeeeeeeeees | 128.7 50.0 | 46.6 32.1 Per cent in non-edible portion ............-.-.6.. 20 | 43.7 41.6 33.6 90.4 | It seems that without taking into consideration the skin and hair, over forty per cent. of the dry matter of the animal body is rejected 76 MAINE STATE COLLEGE as unfit for food, unless we allow for the use that is sometimes made of the heart, liver and portions of the large stomach. If we include in the refuse (in the sense of use as food) the skin and the ordinary kitchen waste, we find that very nearly haif of the dry matter in body of a fat steer is either wholly wasted or is used for less important and valuable purposes than serving as food for man. This is in strong contrast to milk as an animal food product, none of which is necessarily rejected. It has been stated that two of the steers were slaughtered and analyzed at the age of about twenty-two months, while the other pair was fed for ten months longer. It appears from our analyses entirely probable that the four ani- mals were practically alike in composition when of the same age. This being assumed, we are in a position to learn the composition of the growth during the last ten months of feeding of theolder pair. LYVIt. COMPOSITION OF INCREASED GROWTH OF OLDER STEERS. IN FRESH IN WATER-FREE MATERIAL. MATERIAL. s ps SIA ei ts = Aa Ss) ae le | Entire bodies, except skin. | | Two steers fed 27 months.........---cccc-ere- 1,072.9) 924.6), 329.3) 492.6) 102.6 Two steers fed 17 months... ......-..+..0++--- | $29.2] 593.2|| 248.6] 276.9] 68.2 asa eae | | 943.7] 381.4)| -81.3] 215.7] 34.4 | } Per cent composition younger steers ........... | 58.2) 41.8) 4.8 46.7) 11.5 Per cent composition increase for next 10 mos.) 42.4 51.6) 7 65.1) 10.4 tt These results accord in a general way with those reached by Lawes & Gilbert. Those investigators found that the increase in fettening an animal contained a much smaller proportion of water and a greatly larger proportion of fat than the entire body. The increase in the later stages of growth is of very much the same character, two-thirds of this consisting of fat, whereas the bodies of the younger steers were iess than half fat. SUMMARY. (1) Beginning at the age of four to six months two pairs of steers were fed from seventeen to twenty-seven months on rations differing widely in their nutritive ratio, one ration having a ratio of 1:5.2 ae “3 ~t AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. and the other, 1:9.7. One pair ate 1884 pounds of digestible pro- tein in the same time the other pair ate 1070 pounds. (2) One steer of each pair was slaughtered and analyzed at the end of seventeen months feeding, the remaining steers being fed for ten months longer, when they were killed and analyzed. The chem- ical analysis included the entire bodies, excepting the skin and the contents of the stomach and intestines. (3) At the end of fifteen mouths feeding, the pair of steers fed on the ration richer in protein had gained 221 pounds of live weight more than the pair fed the ration less rich in protein. The later growth with two steers showed a difference in favor of the ration less rich in protein. (4) The relative weights of organs and parts of the body was practically the same with the steers of the same age, independently of the ration. (5) The kind of growth caused by the two rations, viz: the pro- portions of water, protein, fat and ash, was not materially different with the steers of the same size. This is true whether we consider the entire bodies, the dressed earcasses or the edible portions of the carcasses. With steers fed for the same time, the composition of the entire bodies, the proportion and composition of the carcasses, and the pro- portions and composition of the edible parts were practically alike. (6) The oider pair of steers, viz: those fed for ten months longer time, contained a smaller proportion of water and a larger propor- tion of fat than the younger animals. (7) The older animals furnished five pounds per hundred more of water-free edible material than the younger animals. This is equiv- alent to a difference of twelve pounds of fresh, edible meat. HORTICULTURAL DIVISION. H. P. Goutp, Assistant Horticulturist. The work of this department during the past year has,in a general wa}, been a continuation of the investigations of previous years. Cultural methods of certain vegetables have receivedattention, though the dry weather seriously affected all garden vegetables, and on this account no report can be given on many of the experiments planned at the beginning of the season. Especially does this apply to our work with tomatoes and cauliflowers. The number of varieties of small fruits growing in the station gar- dens has been considerably increased and new varieties are constant- ly being added. I—NOTES ON POTATOES. FUNGIROID AS A PREVENTIVE OF POTATO RoT. Almost every year brings to light new insecticides and fungicides; some of these discoveries are of great value, while many of them are no better and often far inferior to the older and better known materials. (uite recently there has been put upon the market a fungicide known commercially as “fungiroid.” This article is manufactured by Leggett & Brother, New York, and is said by them to be a powdered Bordeaux mixture and a substitute for that fungicide as ordinarily prepared. So far as I am aware, its qualities have not been thoroughly tested. If fungiroid should prove to be equally as effective as Bordeaux mixture, its advantage over the latter would be its ease of application. This applies especially in the treatment of low-growing plants. It has been proven many times, beyond a doubt, that ‘“‘potato rot’ or “late blight” can be held in check, if not entirely prevented by the use of Bordeaux mixture. In order to test the efficacy of fun- giroid as a means of combating this disease, a plat of potatoes was treated in the following manner: ‘The first row was sprayed with Bordeaux mixture; fungiroid was applied to the second, while the third was left untreated to serve as a check on the fungicides and so ou throughout the plat-—every third row in order receiving the treatment described above, making six rows sprayed with Bordeaux AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 79 mixture, six treated with fungiroid, and an equal number which received no treatment. The first application of fungicides was made July 13; two other applications were subsequently made at weeks. The following table gives a sumimary of intervals of about two each of the six rows: BORDEAUX MIXTURE VS. FUNGIROID. Weight of Total Ratio of | decayed | Per cent Treatment. weight yield. tubers. |of decayed Ss. lbs. tubers. IBONCIGAWES SocadadacanesngDd0duaGcdoQcCDOS 2623 1.00 Hol 4 EUUIND OF Oi Choteleteretaleleleloierel=ralelelel=/stelsislalele\eielaiers = 219 83 18.7 8.5 OIN@ElK sossadkos 6 dovdcaoncadd200 sOQdD0RE 198% 75 20.3 10.2 Referring to the column, ‘ratio of yield,” it will be observed that the total yield of the untreated rows was only seventy-five per cent. that of the rows sprayed with Bordeauxmixture, or an increase ot twenty-five per cent. from the use of the Bordeaux; the total yield fron: the rows treated with fungiroid was eighty-three per cent. that of the rows sprayed with Bordeaux,or an increase of seven- teen per cent. in favor of Bordeaux mixture over fungiroid. The last column gives the per cent. of decayed tubers. The rows sprayed with Bordeaux mixture produced only .4 of one per cent. by weight of decayed tubers, while from the unsprayed rows over ten per cent. by weight of the tubers were decayed. The fungiroid seemed to have but little effect in preventing the decay. The results do not promise the future for the fungiroid which had been hoped for it, yet we do not wish to draw final conclusions from this one season’s trial. Conclusion: Fungiroid may slightly increase the yield of potatoes but seems to be of very little value as a preventive of late blight. II—NOTES ON SWEET CORN. Every one who is at all familiar with the catalogue of the average seedsman is equally familiar with the high sounding and attractive description of varieties which most catalogues contain. We do not wish to infer that such descriptions are given for the purpose of de- ceiving, yet the fact remains that if one bases his anticipations on the descriptions which he finds, he is likely to be doomed to dis- appointment at the results which he obtains. While this condition of things does not exist in regard tc the descriptions of corn to the extent that it does in regard to many other things, yet not a few of 80 MAINE STATE COLLEGE the statements are misleading. Especially have we found this to be true as to statements concerning the date of maturity. Very often varieties described as ‘“‘early’’ have proven so late as to be almost worthless, and several so called medium sorts have failed to mature at all. A plausible excuse may appear, however, for this apparent. deception when we consider the fact that practically all of the seeds. disseminated by the larger seed companies are produced in a climate where the growing season is considerably longer than in Maine. The following table represents most concisely the more impor- tant points relative to the varieties grown the past season: 30 mH Hq SS} Oi\lip mre 3 & axle |S a 5 Sela |e a = ® a2 = S ooe9 = Ba] oo-| 22 | 22 |S loslesise Variety. Source of seed. a2 | ks rel o Pelea, Setlel SS bain Fa OF |nSloQios 68 | S38 | ce ealeiied 4 5) male HM As | As | AB |ZSleslau IBEStiOL All eremerencericcs H.W. Buckbee. ......- July 24;Aug. 1/Sept. 2} 95] ...| 7.0 COry (WIC). esae lace. J.M. Thorburn & Co...|July 12|July 24)Aug. 17} 79] 6.0) 4.5 Crosby’s Early ........ J.M. Thorburn & Co...|July 20)/Aug. 5/Sept. 2} 5]...-| 6.0: Early Dawn ........:.- Johnson & Stokes . July 24)Aug. 7/Sept. 7} 100} 7.5) 6.5. Early Sweet ........ .|D. M. Ferry & Co....... July 24)/Aug. 7|Sept.11| 104) 9.0) 7.5 Barly Sunrise .........- Iowa Seed Co.. .. ..... July 12|July 26|Aug.17} 79} 7.0) 6.0: Early Vermont......... A.W.Livingston’s Sons, |July 12|July 26/Aug. 24) 86]....) 4.0 Eastman’s Early. .... |Hastman Seed Co ..... July 12|July 26|Aug.17/ 79]....) 4.0 Hance’s Early ......... A.W.Livingston’s Sons,|July 24;Aug.10/Sept.11| 104| 7.5) 6.5. Henderson Sugar......- Peter Henderson & Co.|July 24/Aug. 7/Sept. 7) 100} 9.0) 8.0 Hickox Hybrid......... D. M. Ferry & Co.. .... July 17|/Aug. 7/Sept. 7} 100} 9.0) 7.0 TsIOVNVasoooonsn0dndcod0. Johnson & Stokes...... July 24)Aug.10)/Sept. 7) 100) 8.0) 8.0. Lackey’s Early Sweet..|J. J. H. Gregory & Son .|July 12|July 26|Aug.17| 79} 6.0| 5.0 Livingston’s Evergr’n,|A.W.Livingston’s Sons,|July 24)Aug. 10/Sept.15) 108) 9.0) 7.5 Melrose. .... .... .- --|J. M. Thorburn & Co ..|July 26;Aug. 7/Sept. 5) 98}....| 5.0 New England.......... D. M. Ferry & Co......- July 15}Aug. 1)/Aug.31] 93] 7.0) 6.0 Perry’s Hybrid.... .... J.M. Thorburn & Co...|July 20;)Aug. 5/Sept. 7} 100} 8.0) 6.5 Quincy Market.... .... J.J. H. Gregory & Co ..| July 15|July 30) Aug. 26} Ss} ...| 5.0 Shaker’s Early ......... A.W.Livingston’s Sons,|July 24|Aug. 8/Sept.11| 104| 8.0] 6.5 Stabler’s Early......... J.J. H..Gregory & Son.|July 29]........ Sept.11} 104) 8.0) 7.5 OC SIERNE coonpoondocedad Wey He Miele ry miteteraterelerelens July 24;Aug. 7/Sept.11] 104) 7.0) 5.5 *Acme Evergreen.. ...|[owa Seed Co........... Awd by PE ESS Bo oboodcllocns paool) io *Burlington Hybrid....|A.W.Livingston’s Sons,|July 29)Aug. 7]........ 7.0 *Country Gentleman...|Johnson & Stokes.... .|July 30)Aug.17]........|.. 7.0 *Early Large 8-Rowed .|/A.W.Livingston’s Sons,|July 27)Aug. 10]........]. 8.0 «Did not reach edible maturity. The varieties named above were all planted the last of May. The first killing frost was about the middle of September, so that in addi- tion to the varieties which failed toreach edible maturity those which matured on or after Sept. 11, of which there were several, were of but very little value for table use, as the date of edible maturity given in column five refers to the day on which the first ear was found which had reached an edible condition; this date, in most cases, was several days before enough ears could be picked to test the varieties. For several years past the Cory has been the standard of earliness, but in quality it is far from perfection. As may be observed by referring to the table, several varieties were grown the past season AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 81 which came to edible maturity on the same date as Cory—seventy- nine days from date of planting. The variety—Early Sunrise—seems worthy of special mention. The quality compares very favorably with that of most later varieties and it was the most prolific variety grown. Of the varieties which failed to reach edible maturity, we would eall attention to the Country Gentleman, from the fact that since its introduction several years ago, no variety has received more favorable comment than this one, but for this State it is of little value on account of its lateness. It may mature under the most favorable conditions although it has been grown here for the past three years and in no case has it reached an edible condition before frosts, when given ordinary field culture. III—NOTES ON PEAS. It is a well known fact that nearly all of the earliest varieties of peas are what are commonly known as “smooth” or “hard” peas; the poor quality of this type is equally well known. One of the aims of the introducer has been to secure a sort which should possess the qualities of the later or “wrinkled” varieties and at the same time be as early as the smooth varieties. Efforts in this direction have been at least partially rewarded with success. There have been put upon the market during the past few years several varieties of the wrinkled type which are of excellent quality and also very early. Our usual rate of seeding has been one quart of seed to 100 feet of drill, though it is probable that one quart to 75 or 80 feet of drill may be a moie profitable rate. The following deseriptions are of “wrinkled” varieties of recent introduction which can be recommended for general cultivation. Station, (Gregory): Of moderately vigorous growth; 5 to 6 peas to the pod; quality good; maturing in from 45 to 55 days. Morning Star, (Childs): Growth somewhat less vigorous than Station; 5 to 6 peas to the pod; quality excellent; reaches edible maturity in 45 to 55 days. Exonian, (Thorburn & Co.): Vines medium height but very small; foliage noticeably light colored; about 6 peas to the pod; maturing in from 50 to 60 days. Early Woodside, (H. N. Smith): Of rather drawf habit; 6 peas to the pod; quality good; from 60 to 70 days required to reach edible maturity. Climax, (Northrup, Braslan & Goodwin Co.): CG57/ -0} 33.3) .44 CHC CUE aise sarevs ois rovsissets lave ersia ele voleroieteieielestelereralerareters Bl) Biol) Galsy| PaO] © (0) -0)1.00 Surehead. Outer leaves tied Up........-cse..eeeeenee 4.1 -8| 2.6) 14.3 -O| 35.8) .46 OI gousoqpdsnasonaouDOUOouCO! Ob. ‘coSDuGdD Boll, Bez) Bok} 0} 5.3/1.00 Reynolds Early. Outer leaves tied up..... .......... sAac 4.9 AG) Boll) BL0)at} -0} 53.8) .67 Gheels .sisc ae cance ou teceleidstroeties : 9.9] 2.0) 4:6) 47-1) 5-9) 17.6)1-00 The figures relative te the point in question reveal nothing from which we can infer that the operation has any influence upon the maturity of the heads. By examining the table, however, it can readily be seen that the operation was not without its effects. : In next to the last column is found the percentage of plants from each lot which failed to form heads. Of the first variety, every check plant developed a head, while of the treated plants one-third failed to head; of the second variety, nearly the same proportion failed; while of the third variety, over one-half of the treated plants gave similar results, as did also about 17 per cent. of the check plants, niaking nearly the same difference between the percentage of plants failing to head in each comparison. Again, the size of the head was greatly decreased by the treat- ment. The last column gives the relative weights of average heads. In two instances the average weight of the treated plants was less than one-half and in one case but little more than one-half that of the heads from the untreated piants. Another result of tying up the outer leaves, which was even more noticeable than any yet mentioned, as the plants were growing in AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 85 the field, was the effect upon quality. The overlapping leaves did not effectually shut out the rain, yet when the moisture had once ‘entered the spaces between the leaves, it was sufficiently inclosed to prevent a rapid evaporation. This continued dampness among the leaves very soon caused the outer portions of the heads to decay. As the season advanced, the decay extended both outward and inward, resulting in a large proportion of the leaves falling off a long time ‘before the growth of the plants would otherwise have ceased. The result was that not a single marketable head was produced by the plants receiving the special treatment. Doubtless the premature talling of the leaves accounts in a measure at least for the decreased size of the heads. Deduction. Tying up the outer leaves of the cabbage appears to have no influence upon the maturity of the heads, but it results in a marked decrease in the size of the heads and causes them to decay. 3. EFFECT OF MULCHING: The value of straw or some similar material used as a mulch, in the conservation of soil moisture has often been discussed. Our experience in mulching tomatoes has al- ready been reported.* In order to ascertain, if possible, the effect of a similar treatment upon cabbages, several plants of three different varieties were given a mulch of swale hay, a sufficient amount being put on so that when packed down it should be two or three inches thick. It was applied after the plants had recovered from the check of being set in the field and growth had fairly begun. Three corresponding lots re- eeived frequent cultivation. Table III is a statement of the results as: represented by figures. * Report Maine Experiment Station, 1894, p. 64. 86 MAINE STATE COLLEGE TABLE III. EFFECT OF MULCHING. ———— | mn n ae | es LS ae es el Sp $ 5 ao os) = eI ts = i 2 g et oH Pen ; om iS = ° oo | 68 Variety and Treatment. Bo hse os | Oo 2S | Se | Se Sey oe Se GS | ars Pee BE | se | 82) 84) 58/88) c SS 25 54 | ae | Ss lee le Balaea|dea|/@o les | aa | me Lupton: WY Gad KolaveXolGenGoddvoconcgdde000s CO500000:, oa0ac Qeaj) Potel} BO}! 08 0 0}1.00 (Omnuliniyeniere Lagogaoanoadeoo50a dbas babaoaode $= 9] lees One lite |e nc | Ones (00) Surehead: Mie Eda Nesisiescistersteisiche ctersorn neiersiosy (elelelers 60 Ceili Wash Boll 8) IOLA} -0|1.07 Cwltivia te Qe eesetacitie cle sec iaiaieleleuemee ere Soll IO Bog Bindi -0} 5.3/1.00 Harvest Home: MGI CHG Gi terenmeteretetersiatcieleiciereistatsred releterstolarsiehictoees Wie) BG ori] Boil) Uessnf} -0/1.18 GCuhahyEnKeelndaooooacoouasusoeHoo Saigecisisioctere Che Biol) | Gals) Axa] Shall) -0/1.00 The facts expressed in the above table are not at all conclusive. By referring to the figures relative to the maturity of the heads, it will be observed that of the first variety about five per cent of the mulched and thirty-one per cent. of the heads from the cultivated plants were cracked at the time of cutting. As the cracking occurs as a result of over maturity, the comparison last made,would of itself seem to indicate that the difference in results was due to the differ- ent treatment, but when studied in connection with other facts it loses its significance. This is shown in the case of the second variety which gave nearly the same percentage of cracked heads in both lots of plants. The difference between the two lots of the third variety was not great—less than three per cent. The sixth column gives the percentages of immature heads at the time of cutting. Of the first variety, all of the heads from the mulched plants were fully mature while about twelve per cent. of the cultivated wereimmature; in the second ease, the conditions are just reversed; in the third case, the difference was nearly the same as in the former, but five per cent. of the heads from the cultivated plants were immature. Con:paring the observations in the three instances, we find the greater number of immature heads were obtained from the mulched plants, while all of the plants which failed to head were from the cultivated lots. The most uniform difference between the results of the two methods of culture was in the size of the heads. This difference was not striking, however, and may have been the result of other causes, though the conditions were as nearly uniform as possible aside from the special treatment given. The average weights of the Lupton AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 87 from both lots was the same; while of the Surehead and Harvest Home, the average weights were seven per cent. and thirteen per cent. respective greater from the mulched plants. Deduction: Indications point to an advantageous use of a mulch in growing cabbages especially in a dry season. 4, SHALLOW CULTIVATION VS. DEEP CULTIVATION: The value of thorough cultivation has in recent years been greatly emphasized, though not unduly so, but as to just what is implied by thorough cultivation there may be a difference of opinion. It has been our practice touse the cultivator withmuch freedom in the cultivation of nearly all garden vegetables and where the plants are set out carefully in straight rows the cultivator is usually run as close to the plants as possible without disturbing them. This be- comes in many cases a method of root pruning. In order te deter- mine, if possible, whether this method of cultivation has any specific effect upon the results obtained, twenty plants from each of four yarieties were given the cultivation described above while four similar lots were given only such cultivation as could be furnished with a common hoe, though with the same frequency as the plants receiving deep cultivation. The results are given in table IV. TABLE IV. SHALLOW VS. DEEP CULTIVATION. eel eaenlcils g |g |@ (2 18 fs Sho Spahiee We Pee = = = ) Oo |O5 + S s ae) oO : ia S VARIETY AND TREATMENT. 2 os @ os | Sa 2: 25 ‘ z eee) pS SS OF Ce |Pon Q be | se] SE | S¥ | Ss lo8Z| s $8 | 22 | 52 | 52 | 88 [588] 3 Baj/Aalda las [as lasa) oa Harvest Home. Shallow cultivation ..............0. sees 6.41 0.9 4.9 -O| 52.6) 5.3 .72 DEED CUIGUV ALTON elecfreraicteiciersieleieisleials)sieleieic'e > ots] Boll Gos} PO) ict) -01.00 Lupton. SHaAMOw/ CULV ALTON: cle). cielelse vie cielere seit oie «10 To) ths 56 |e eS) SOeol aD eoago WES WICUIELVAETOMmctercfals) ele alvisicielei-iaisic ci sieicicie 8.9 15 6.0) 31.2) 12.5 6.21.00 One-hundred Weight. SHA OWaCULGV ATION sie /sieleis clelsielelere(o)elere\«yaretar= 8.1 WS) D410 5-65 Ld 01.12 Deep cultivation..... sOUGbG GoeCODEGKGEOS 638i) 3:2) 458 0 0} 16.71.00 Surehead. Shallow cultivation ........... ..... .... WD) BO Gla Gash}. Ue 01.16 D@eSrD Cully AKO sogsocsoogdoc00"d boo kode Sal LO Sati 155d -0) 5.31.00 88 MAINE STATE COLLEGE Referring to the figures relating to the maturity of the different lots, it will be observed that of the first two varieties, the percentage of the cracked heads from the plants receiving deep cultivation was noticeably large, giving evidence of a greater maturity of the deeply cultivated plants; on the other hand the evidence of the third variety is contradictory and of the fourth, neutral. The difference in the percentages of immature heads gives evidence of the same fact; in three instances the proportion of immature heads was greater from the plants given shallow cultivation. The effect of the different methods of culture did not seem to mani- fest itself in the size of the heads, as in two eases the results favor deep cultivation, while in the other two the larger heads were pro- duced by the plants receiving shallow cultivation. Deduction: Deep cultivation appears to hasten the maturity of the plants as evinced by the greater percentage of cracked heads from the deeply cultivated plants and by the greater percentage of immature heads from the plants given shallow cultivation. ‘he size of the heads does not appearto be influenced bythe different methods of culture. VARIETIES. Harvest Home: (Northrup, Braslan, Goodwin Co.) This is a late variety of good size, heads fairly solid, nearly spherical in shape. Balihead: (Improved Danish Ballhead Winter, James Vick’s Sons). A rather small variety, shape nearly spherical, very hard and _ solid. Medium early. Reynolds’ Early: (Gregory). A medium early variety of good size, moderately firm and vigorous. Said to be the result of an artificial eross between the Scheweinfurt Quintal and Cannon Ball cabbage. This is a desirable variety for its season. Lupton: (Maule). A sport form Excelsior Flat Dutch found in the fall of 1888. It forms a large, solid, flat head; plant strong and vigor- ous with a short stem. A very satisfactory variety for late use. The other varieties mentioned above are satisfactory sorts but have no distinctive characteristics and require no special mention. LRECAPITULATION. 1. The size of the seed seems to have some influence upon the size of the head; the larger seed, as a rule, producing the larger head. 2. The tying up of the outer leaves appears to have no influence upon the maturity of the head, while it produces a marked ) Vir 2 lea | 7 lea jot fsb +s ba a Ss 2 xoOO 2 iS us CD ae = Sos | @ = Ab < mA fy Z4as | & Maine field corn, cut Aug 15..... 88.29 | 11.71 1.09 1.75 3.10 5.46 | .30 Aug. 28.....|° 82.50 | 17.50 1.14 2.05 4.08 9.71 | .52 Sept.4...... 80.45 | 19.55 1.21 2.29 3.85 | 11.68 } .59 Sept. 12..... [6.83 |) 2d-L7, 1.29 2.22 4.48 | 14.50] .68 Sept.21.....| 74.66 } 25.34 1.50 2.34 4.71 | 16.04 | .75 The immature and mature corn differ in the following essential particular: ; The mature corn is less watery; i. e., it contains a much larger percentage of dry substance. During the thirty days before the mature crop was harvested there was a continuous and large increase in the percentage of dry matter. It will appear later that this was mostly due to an actual growth of dry matter, rather than to a dry- ing out of water. Yield: The field of corn selected for studying the influence of maturity upon the yield was of very uniform growth, being finely eared and in every way satisfactory for experimental purposes. Each of the ten plots consisted of five rows, and it was decided to harvest one-fifth of the crop or one-tenth of an acre at each of five periods of growth, cutting one row of each plot at each period. eee APPENDIX. 129 = |YIELD PER AcRE.| 3-2 || 58 aS SKS lll eS =a = DHe || ss ne Son lashes £23 || SF Date of cutting and condition of crop. DIS = a. esol IN CS Ess as s AS Tl iG ai Grehe Be © i aah || ono Be 2 ms Op || See Aa ce) Aa Sas || Sc | | August 15, ears beginning to form........) .... 26,166 | 3,064.0 |....--20. ||.eeeeeee August 28, a few roasting ears............ 13 29,777 5,210.9 2,146.9 165.0 September 4, all roasting ears .. .... .-- 7 31,000 | 6,060.4 849.6 121.3 September 12, some ears glazing ........ 8 28,833 | 6,680.6 620.1 ‘iittsD September 21, all ears glazed .. . ........ 9 27,777 7,039.7 358.1 39.8 | Soe Increase dry matter after August 15 .|......| 0.2.2.0] .0--000ee 3,974.7 ||-.--ee0 The results of this experiment certainly furnish a striking illustra- tion of the folly of harvesting immature corn for silage or fodder purposes whenever it is possible to allow it to attain maturity. In this instance, the total quantity of dry matter in an acre of the corn at maturity was nearly two and one-half times greater than at the silking period thirty-seven days previous, the average rate of increase of dry substance per acre being about 108 pounds daily. This daily increase is equivalent in quantity to one day’s ration for four or five cows of ordinary weight. THE INFLUENCE OF MATURITY UPON THE QUALITY OF THE DRY MATTER IN THE CORN PLANT. It is well known that the portion of the plant known as nitro- gen-free extract is a mixture of substances such as sugar, starch, gums, waxes, etc., some of which have a higher value than others for use by the animal. In short, the larger the proportion of starch and sugars in the nitrogen-free-extract of a food, the more highly do we estimate the nutritive worth of that food. For this reason a higher value is placed upon the nitrogen-free-extract of the grains than upon that of the coarse fodders. It is evident then, that if allowing the corn plant to mature imereases the relative proportion of sugars and starch in dry matter, we have not only the advantage of obtaining a larger yield of dry matter but we secure material of better quality for food purposes. The figures show the facts as obtained from a single investigation. 130 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. r = < x = 2 5 3 ut 9° = Spr C= BOXOR |] 2S oc Saas | Gane . o2c23| sate Bossa | Sanna ; : 0 Ibs. August 15, ears Deginning tO FOTM....- 22. eee eee e cece eneeceees *25 1 #3908 .5 August 28, a few roasting CATs .....----eeeee eee teeeeeee a766c0e 40.5 1,172.0 September 4, all roasting stage .....-....--2- eee eeees ssc6s2256 42.7 1,545.0 September 12, some ears Glazing .- ...0.- eee eee e were eeeeee ence 42.2 1,764.0 September 21, all ears Glazed .....- cee cee eee eeceeeencee vee Sc 50.3 2,244.0 * Probably somewhat too low. It appears from the figures that not only is there a constant and large growth of starch and sugars up to the condition of maturity of the corn plant, but these valuable compounds increase more rapidly than certain less important constituents, so that the mature plant sub- stance is of beiter quality than at any previous stage of growth. SUMMARY. (1.) Under the conditions existing in Maine the varieties of Flint Corn which mature in the state furnish fodder or silage material much more valuable, pound for pound of fresh weight, than it is possible to secure with the larger varieties of Dent Corn which do not mature. (2.) The Flint varieties of corn should always be allowed to ma- ture, as there is a large and continuous production of plant substance up to the period of full maturity. Harvesting half grown or im- mature corn is a wasteful practice. (38.) Owing to the relatively large production of sugars and starch in the late stages of growth, a pound of the dry substance of the mature well-eared corn plant possesses a higher nutritive value than at any earlier stage of growth. W. H. JORDAN. MAINE STATE COLLEGE, ORONO, ME., MARCH 1, 1895. ee APPENDIX. 131 BULLETIN No. 18.** INSPECTION OF FERTILIZERS, 1895. W. H. JogpAn, Director. J. M. Barruett, L. H. MERRILL, Chemists. The Maine Legislature enacted at the session of 1893, a new law for the regulation of the sale and analysis of commercial fertilizers. This change of law was sought in order to accomplish two objects: 1. The providing of funds that can be legally used, sufficient to pay the expenses of a proper inspection. 2. A provision whereby information as to the composition of the goods offered for sale can be given to the would-be purchaser at an earlier date than has heretofore been possible. This law makes the following requirements upon manufacturers, importers or dealers who propose to sell or offer for sale their goods in the State. These briefly stated are: 1. Marking the bags properly.* 2. Filing annually a certificate with the director of the Station giving the manufacturer’s or dealer’s name, place of business, place of manufacture, name of brand of fertilizer and the guaranteed composition of the same.* 3. Depositing annually, unless excused by the director under certain conditions, a sample of fertilizer, with an accompanying affidavit that this sample “corresponds within reasonable limits to the fertilizer which it represents.” ‘These samples are designated in this bulletin as “manufacturer’s samples.’’* 4. The annual payment of an analysis fee of fifteen dollars for every brand of complete fertilizer licensed. 5. All brands of which thirty tons or more are not sold are exempt from the last provision. The law also imposes upon the Director of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station certain duties which are: 1. The issuing of licenses to such manufacturers as comply with the above named requirements. 2. The analysis of the samples deposited by the manufacturers. _ 3. The selection of samples in the open market of all brands of fertilizers sold or offered for sale in the state, with the subsequent analysis of the samples. 4. The publication of bulletins or reports, giving the results of the inspection. In accordance with the foregoing requirements, eighteen compan- ies representing seventy-two brands of fertilizers have complied with "-** Given in part. * Notice.—That requirements 1, 2 and 3 apply to all brands of fertilizers, whether thirty,tons are sold or not. 9 132 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. the law, and the brands mentioned below can be sold legally in the state to the extent of thirty tons or more during the year 1895. (The bulletin gave the manufacturer’s guarantees and the analysis of manufacturer’s samples, but as these figures are of only passing value they are omitted here. W. H. J.) BULLETIN No. 19. A DISCUSSION OF CHRTAIN COMMERCIAL ARTICLES. (1) FERTILIZERS. A large sum of money is annually expended by Maine farmers for commercial fertilizers and commercial cattle foods. The trade in these articles offers, therefore, wide opportunities for the practice of fraud, and for the sale of various nostrums and mixtures at prices several times larger than the value to the purchaser of the goods delivered. Through credulity, lack of accurate knowledge - and hasty judgments Maine farmers have suffered their fair share financially at the hands of plausible “agents.” In too many instances the goods are first bought for cash or on eredit, invari- ably at an unusually large price, and then after the act is past recalling, information is sought as to the character and value of the “fertilizer” or “food” purchased. If accurate information were first obtained in these cases there would be less of these tran- sactions where value is not received for the money paid. There are two claims which generally characterize the repre- sentations of the companies and agents selling these questionable goods: (1; The process of manufacture is a secret one, having been “discovered” by some one who is generally unknown either to science or practice. (2) ‘The “fertilizer” or “food” either contains ingredients of which the whole world, outside of a favored few, is ignorant, or else certain ingredients are so wonderfully compounded as to produce marvelous results. In all instances that have come under the writer’s notice such materials have ingredients of some actual value for feeding plants and animals. Are the claims of extraordinary value well founded? Let us examine some of the cases that have been investigated. FERTILIZERS. There is a case in hand just now which well illustrates the sale (attempted at least) of a fertilizer in accordance with claims that cannot be justified by existing knowledge, and at a price greatly out of proportion to the real value of the article. APPENDIX. 133 Reference is made to the fertilizers offered for sale by The Chemical Compound Fertilizer Co., otherwise Mason, Chapin & Co., Providence, R. J. From the published reports of this company and from the testi- mony of correspondents, concerning the price asked and the claims made by their agents, ete., we learn: ist. The compounding of the fertilizers is a secret process. “The exact method in which this is accomplished is a secret of great value to us and which we do not propose to give away to the public.” 2nd. The phosphoric acid is classed as “soluble in the soil,” which to the chemist is an indefinite and suspicious form of statement. 38rd. No statements are made as to whether the fertilizers contain potash or not. They are advertised as containing certain percentages of “alkali,” which may be interpreted as either potash or soda. 4th. Written testimony shows that the agent offering these fer- tilizers claims that 600 pounds of the form for potatoes would be found equal to a ton of the ordinary superphosphates. 5th. The fertilizers have been offered at the remarkable price of $55 per ton. Fortunately for the farmers such new materials as the above are, in these days, very soon brought to the test of a severe inyestiga- tion. Samples of these particular fertilizers have been examined at the Connecticut and Maine Experiment Stations, and the results of the analyses make these peculiar claims appear rather grotesque, and the price highly exorbitant. The following are the analyses: CONNECTICUT MAINE ANALYSES. ANALYSES. Le 4 se le ee | ee BS ES | BSE PSs) E85 | ET || eT Iss Nitrogen in nitrates......... jo0s0S oboo0s5oS0055 4.03 | 3.56 1.47 3-48 | 3.42 Phosphoric acid soluble in water...... ...... sili -22 8) |IlHoncnoonlloasaca Phosphoric acid ‘“‘reverted” ........- ... - --- 2.20 2.38 2.08 1EG3} 4) Yell Phosphoric acid insoluble.........eeeeeeeeeeee 11.51 | 10.08 | 13.70 13.00 | 9.48 SEHOSPHOTIC ACI LOLA]... 2. ciciewe cies ee cence wee 13.82 | 12.68 | 16.07 14.93 | 11.59 Eotashyss..)---. Bains sarcn pat nct a Ghrais Slide ve tae lheeienae snare 14 | 26 \WWallt@iioIMNGo0 ma cooboccududboDSESonocEBBODNND CAS $18 84 | $17 23 | $12 38 || $17 73 |$17 14 Selling price..... 96, Sood odNDaDaONDDONDHCOGDBOGNS 50 00 | 5000} 5000 ]|........ | 55 00 An examination at the Connecticut Experiment Station still more exhaustive makes it evident that the fertilizers are made up by mix- ing nitrate of soda, some crude, ground phosphate and probably soda ash. re 134 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. The comments by the Connecticut Experiment Station on these goods and on the lately much discussed value of soda as a substitute for potash, are so entirely clear and sound that they are reproduced here. “A mixture of 500 pounds of nitrate of soda, costing $12.50, 1200 pounds oi basic slag costing $11.40 and 300 pounds of dry carbonate of soda, costing $6.00, total cost $29.90, would contain approximately the same quantities of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and soda and would have at least as great a crop-producing power as these fertilizers costing $50.00 per ton ($55.00 in Maine.) The only valuable fertilizing ingredients contained in these fertil- izers, viz:, phosphoric acid could, however, be bought for not far from $20.00, so that the plant food in these goods costs more than twice as much as the farmer needs to pay for it. It is claimed that the soda existing in these fertilizers as car- bonate and nitrate is an efficient substitute for potash in the plant and in the soil. So far as the plant is concerned a large amount cf the most refined investigation would appear to demonstrate conclusively that soda cannot in any sense or to any extent take the place of potash in plant-nutrition. Plants growing in presence of abundance of potash usually take up and contain more potash than they really need. This accidental or unnecessary potash may indeed be replaced by soda, but both may be withheld without detriment to the plant. Even the salt-worts and seaweed which usually grow in soils or water containing much sodium compounds, flourish equally as well in absence of soda,but cannot exist in default of potash. On the other hand, soda may sometimes or often take the place of potash as a fertilizer. In such cases it operates indirectly, not by entering itself into the crop as a needful food to the plants, but by its action on the soil, making more rapidly available some other ingredient of the soil, it may be potash, or lime or nitrogen, which is there present, but exists in a comparatively inert state. It is well established that the use of soda as a fertilizer has often increased crops, but experience shows that it is commonly an un- certain and unsafe application to land. In any case it does not enrich the soil or increase its stores of plant food, but simply facilitates their solution, consumption, and it may easily be, their waste. As a rule soils contain more soda than potash and the frequent use of soda in fertilizers tends to exhaust and impoverish the land. If soda is to be used it is most cheaply supplied in nitrate of soda, which by its nitrogen may easily return its entire cost, leaving its soda in the soil as carbonate, and if more alkali is use- ful, lime is vastly cheaper than soda and not a whit less effica- cious, is in fact, what soda is not, an essential element of plant- nutrition, as well as the safest and surest means of fluxing the APPENDIX. 135 inert plant-food of the soil and putting its hoarded capital into active circulation.” Bulletin 20 will continue this discussion in the consideration of a eertain class of cattle foods. W:. HH. JORDAN. MAINE STATE COLLEGE, Orono, Me., Marcu 15th, 1895. BULLETIN No. 20. A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ARTICLES. (2) Foops. A class of materials commonly spoken of as “Condimental” or “natent”’ foods, has been found in our markets for many years. Now and then a new one appears, as has lately been the case in Maine. These foods are generally given some pretentious name such as “Condimental Cattle Food,” ‘Imperial Egg Food,” “Nutrio- tone,” etc. They usually possess an aromatic or other positive odor, which to the uninitiated gives the appearance of value. The claims that are made for the nutrient and tonic properties of these commodities are fairly startling as lying outside the range of either common experience or scientitic knowledge, and on the strength of such claims these wonderful mixtures are sold in most eases at prices ranging from $100 to $2,000 per ton. How utterly absurd both the claims and the prices appear in the light of facts! Repeated careful examinations of these materials show that without exception they consist principally of common cattle foods, or other com- mon materials, mired with small percentages of the cheapest and most ordinary medicinal substances. The following are the results of a number of examinations made by various experiment stations: Irom Rep. Conn. Expt. Sta., 1878, p. 125. “Condimental Cattle Food,’ cost $8.00 per 100 pounds. “It con- sists chiefly of corn meal and bran. It contains enough fenugreek to give it a strong flavor of that aromatic seed and likewise some seeds like caraway in appearance Hy From Rep. Maine Exp. Sta., 1885, p. 52. “Tmperial Egg Food.” Cost 50 cents per pound. Chiefly clam and oyster shells with some bone, also some pepper. Johnson’s Continental Food. Cost 75 cents for 10 pounds. “A mechanical examination shows that the food is undoubtedly wheat bran with possibly some middlings.” Contains “some fenugreek” and “a little sulphur.” 136 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. “English Patent Food.” Cost $1.00 for a bag of 12 pounds. “Appears to be made up of middlings and corn meal, largely mid- dlings. . . .” Contains “some fenugreek.” From Bulletin No. 20. Mass. Expt. Sta., p. 6. “The Concentrated Feed.” Cost $8.00 per 100 pounds. “. . . A mixture of several ingredients, among them was noticeable common salt.” From Rep. Conn. Expt. Sta. 1888, p. 146. “The Concentrated Feed for Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, ete.” “Apparently consists of a mixture of wheat and corn with thirteen per cent. of salt and perhaps a little of some more con- centrated food.” ‘‘Costs $100 per ton in three ton lots, ... . $160 per ton in small quantities.” “The Concentrated Ege Producer.” Cost $4.00 for 12 pounds, equivalent to $660 per ton. Contains both corn and wheat and some more concentrated food.” From Bulletin 15, N. H. Expt. Sta. “Pratt’s Food.” Cost 75 cents for 12 pounds or $6.00 per 100 pounds. The food appears to be wheat middlings to which has been added some fenugreek and common salt.” “Weston’s Condition Powder.” Cost 50 cents for package of three pounds. “It resembled a mixture of corn meal and cotton seed meal and it had a saline taste and strong odor of fenugreek.” “Climax Food.” Cost $1.00 per 12 pounds or $8.00 per 100 pounds. “Tt resembled a mixture of fine wheat middlings and wheat screen- ings together with a small quantity of caraway or fenugreek seeds and smali bits of a substance like butter-nut or elm bark,” also common salt 9.77 per cent., Glauber’s salt, 4.50 per cent., and Chili Saltpeter 3.84 per cent. From Rep. Maine Exp. Sta., 1892, p. 26. “Pratt’s Food.” Cost $120 per ton. “Has the appearance of being chiefly ground bran or shorts. Contains a small amount fenugreek.” .... “Contains something less than three per cent. of common salt.” From Rep. Conn. Expt. Sta. 1893, p. 244. “Nutriotone.” “It contains a considerable quantity of some leguminous seed, some linseed meal and perhaps other feeding stuffs together with aromatic substances (fenugreek, anise seed, caraway and the like,) and over ten per cent. of salt.” “Silver Live Stock Powder.” Cost $1.00 per pound. “Consists essentially of ground bone having a dark color and slight odor of coal tar.” - APPENDIX. 137 From Crop Bulletin No. 6, 1894, Me. Board of Agr. “Nutriotone.” Cost 25 cents per pound. (Sold in some cases for $7.00 for 5i) pounds.) “Consisted largely of linseed meal with a litle fenugreek and apparently some pea or bean meal. It con- tained 18.67 per cent. ash, a large part of which was common salt.” The following are some of the statements that have been made by men who are students of animal nutrition, in regard to condi- mental cattle foods in general. “Mr. Lawes of Rothamstead, Hngland, made a most thorough, practical trial on the use of condiments in feeding, and demon- strated that there is no profit in it.’—Rep. Conn. Expt. Sta.. 1878, (Dy Ths) “The foods have no greater nutritive value than wheat bran, middlings and corn meal from which they are made, while the small quantities of fenugreek and sulphur are utterly valueless to a well animal, and a poor reliance as a means of curing a sick one.’”—Rep. Maine Eapt. Sta., 1885, p. 53. “The practice of buying compound feeding stuffs in the general market, without a sufficient actual knowledge regarding the kind or the character of its various ingredients, ought to be decidedly discouraged; for the farmer who pursues that course, leaves his best interest to mere chance.”—WMass. Expt. Sta., But. 20, p. 7. “It has been abundantly proven that condimental foods have no advantage over others by reason of the condiments in them. As medicines they may well be distrusted in view of the absurd claims made by the seller.” —Rep. Conn. Expt. Sta., 1888, p. 148. “Quack horse doetors and Concentrated Cattle food manufacturers are twins, and they flourish, not on the ignorance of farmers, but on that lingering remnant of old times, which made saltpeter and sulphur the universal cure-all for horses and cattle. ........ The foods reported below are worth only from $20 to $25, per ton. ...... So far as the medicinal claim is concerned, ........ even the treat- ment of a ‘Quack’ is better, and certainly cheaper, than the whole- sale use of mixtures of unknown composition.’—-Bul. 15, N. H. Expt. Stiles D5 Ox Facts To BE REMEMBERED. (1) The mixture of ingredients contained in the ordinary foods comprises all that are known either to practice or science as useful to animal life. (2) The ordinary cattle foods supply animal nutrition in the most useful and economical forms. (8) Condimental foods are absurd as medicines. If an animal is well no medicine is needed, if ill, remedies adapted to the case should be administered. 138 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. (4) The farmer could manufacture his own “condimental” foods at a fraction of their usual cost, by mixing a small amount of such common sustanees as salt, sulphur, saltpeter, fenugreek, caraway, &e., with the daily grain ration. W. H. JORDAN. MAINE STATE COLLEGE, Crono, Mk&., MARCH 25, 1895. BULLETIN No. 21. NOTES ON SMALL FRUITS. The progress made in the culture of small fruits during the past twenty years has been rapid and substantial, but even at the pres- ent time the importance of this branch of horticultural work is not fully recognized by the people of the State. From the very nature of the soil and climate of Maine we must look to intensive rather than to extensive operations for the most profitable returns. At the present time there is no line of work which seems more promising than that of the culture of small fruits. With the increas- ing importance of our summer resorts, new and extensive markets are opened; while the operatives in the factories are always large consumers of fruit. The purpose of this Bulletin and of succeeding ones is to give brief, concise hints on the culture of small fruits and information concerning some of the more important varieties. The essential elements of success in small fruit growing are: suitable location; thorough preparation; the best varieties; careful planting; thorough culture; the application of business principles in marketing. ) THE STRAWBERRY. A warm, rather moist sandy loam is usually preferred in grow- ing this fruit, but in general any soil that will raise a good crop of corn will raise good strawberries. I would not be understood as encouraging neglect in any way. but the minute directions some- times given for preparing the soil and for planting are misleading and are enough to discourage any novice from attempting to grow fruit. Thorough drainage, either natural or artificial, is absolutely essential, and thoroughness in the preparation of the soil is of prime importance, but the excessive applications of manure and the hand labor frequently advised are unnecessary. It is well to grow some hoed crop as corn or potatoes on the land for one or two years before setting the plants, as in this way there is less dan- ger from attacks of the “white grub,” MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, BULLETIN No. a2r1. SECOND SERIES. NOTES ON SMALL FRUITS. The progress made in the culture of small fruits during the past twenty years has been rapid and substantial, but even at the pres- ent time the importance of this branch of horticultural work is not fully recognized by the people of the State. From the very nature of the soil and climate of Maine we must look to intensive rather than to extensive operations for the most profitable returns. At the present time there is no line of work which seems more promising than that of the culture of small fruits. With the increas- ing importance of our summer resorts, new and extensive markets are opened ; while the operatives in the factories are always large consumers of fruit. The purpose of this Bulletin and of succeeding ones is to give brief, concise hints on the culture of small fruits and information concerning some of the more important varieties. The essential elements of success in small fruit growing are: suitable location; thorough preparation; the best -varieties; careful planting; thorough culture; the application of business principles in marketing. THE STRAWBERRY. A warm, rather moist sandy loam is usually preferred in grow- ing this fruit, but in general any soil that will raise a good crop of corn will raise good strawberries. I would not be understood as encouraging neglect in any way, but the minute directions some- times given for preparing the soil and for planting are misleading and are enough to discourage any novice from attempting to grow fruit. Thorough drainage, either natural or artificial, is absolutely essential, and thoroughness in the preparation of the soil is of prime importance, but the excessive applications of manure and the hand labor frequently advised are unnecessary. It is well to 2 MAINE STATE COLLEGE grow some hoed crop as corn or potatoes on the land for one or. two years before setting the plants, as in this way there is less dan- ger from attacks of the ‘‘white grub.” The month of May is, perhaps, the best time for setting straw- berry plants in this latitude, though good results often follow fall setting. Two very important considerations in setting the plants are that the crowns be just even with the surface of the earth and that the soil be pressed firmly about the roots. These points can- not be too strongly emphasized, for to their disregard may be. traced more than half the failures in starting new plantings. For general field culture the ‘matted row” system is probably best. The rows should be as long as convenient; that most of the labor of ‘cultivating may be performed with a horse. The plants should be set eighteen inches apart in rows which are about four feet apart. Thus placed, a little more than seven thousand plants will be required for an acre. During the first season thorough culture should be practiced. It is also well to keep the runners cut back till the parent plants are strong and well developed. Winter protection of the plants is always advisable. The value of such treatment is two fold: Not only are the plants protected from injury, but the fruit is kept clean and bright. The best material for the purpose is coarse meadow hay cut before the seeds have ripened. We have sometimes used ‘‘shingle edgings” with very satisfactory results. In the vicinity of large mills this material may often be obtained much more cheaply than the hay. On light gravelly soils we have sometimes resorted to the use of boards on each side of the row of plants as illustrated below: This device is found a very satisfactory means of conserving moisture andjwill permit the growth of plants in locations which would otherwise be unsuitable. Naturally this device is recom- mended only for the home garden. The questionof varieties, although of great importance, is one which must be settled largely by individual growers; for the success of any variety will frequently depend on local conditions. It is always a good plan to have a trial ground for the newer sorts, as varieties of much promise at the Experiment Station may prove worthless in some localities. In selecting varieties for planting it is well to bearin mind the AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 3 distinction between the perfect flowering and. the pistillate sorts. Many of our most valuable sorts are pistillate and must have some perfect flowering variety interspersed in order to secure the best results. The following notes represent our estimate of the varieties fruited. at the Experiment Station during the past two years: Beeder Wood. (Perfect).—Small, spherical, uniform in size early in the season but soon ‘‘runs out.’? One of the earliest and most: prolific sorts but of inferior quality. Plants quite subject to rust. . Beverly. (Perfect).—Large, oblong or spherical; of a rich dark color, moderately good quality, firm, prolific. A promising variety. Bubach. (Pistillate).—Very large, irregular; of good color but poor quality, and lacking in firmness. Productive; valuable for near markets. Charles Downing. (Perfect).—Of medium size, nearly spherical, moderately firm and of good quality. An old favorite for home use, but not as prolific as some others. Quite subject to rust. Crawford. (Perfect).—Large, nearly spherical, uniform and regular; productive and of good flavor, but too soft and too light colored for market. Crescent. (Pistillate).—An old and deservedly popular sort; but rather small and not of high quality. ; Cumberland. (Perfect).—Plants vigorous and prolific; fruits large and of good quality, but too light colored and soft for market. One of the best for home use. Dayton. (Perfect).—Medium to large, smooth and regular; of good quality but light colored and soft. Excellent for home use but too soft for market. Epping. (Perfect).—Plants vigorous and prolific; fruit of medium size, roundish conical, uniform, bright red. A promising variety, received for trial from George Q. Dow, North Epping, N. H., under the name of ‘‘ Yankee Doodle.” Gandy. (Perfect).—Of medium size, uniform, regular, firm and of good quality. Usually regarded as of special value as a late variety, but has not held its own with us. Gen. Putnam. (Pistillate.)—Of medium size, but of pale color, soft and inferior in every way. Gillespie. (Perfect).—Medium to large, oblong or conical, often with pronounced neck, firm, of good quality and color. One of the best sorts for general purposes. Greenville. (Pistillate).—Medium to large, roundish conical, uniform, bright red, moderately firm and of good quality. Good for home and near market. Haverland. (Pistillate).—Medium to large, oblong, regular, firm and of good quality. Plants strong and vigorous; free from rust. A very good sort for general purposes. Jessie. (Perfect).—An early sweet berry of good size. Oblong or conical, bright glossy red, handsome and of good quality. It has been one of the most satisfactory with us but is not uniformly reliable. 30875 4 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. Jewell. (Pistillate).—Of medium size and uniform; but soft and of light color. Not prolific. Leader. (Perfect.)—Medium size, roundish, bright red; fairly good quality. Only moderately productive. Lovett. (Perfect).—Of the Crescent type. Early, prolific, but running small as the season advances and of second quality. Michel’s Early. (Perfect).—The earliest berry we have grown. Very productive, but small and of second quality. Blossoms very early and the flower trusses are short and well protected. Plants only moderately vigorous. Mount Vernon. (Perfect).—Medium size, roundish conical, uniform. Of no special value. Parker Earle. (Perfect).—Very productive, of large elongated fruit having a pronounced neck; firm and of good quality. The plants are very strong and vigorous, but send out few runners, hence should be planted thickly in the row. A valuable sort. Princess. (Pistillate). Plant strong, vigorous and productive; fruit -a little dull in color, but large, nearly spherical, uniform, moderately firm and of good quality. Medium to late in season. One of the best general purpose sorts. Sharpless. (Perfect).—Plants vigorous and prolific. Fruit large but somewhat irregular and not always ripening evenly. Of good quality and always reliable. Smeltzer. (Smeltzer’s Early). (Perfect).—Sent for trial by F. H. Smeltzer, Van Buren, Ark. Plants vigorous, healthy and productive. Fruit uniformly of medium size, oblong, firm, of dark rich color and good quality. A promising early variety. Swindle. (Pistillate).k—As grown on our grounds the variety is rightly named. Plants strong and vigorous but not productive. Fruit of medium size, light colored and of very poor quality. Van Deman. (Perfect).—An early variety; small, spherical; of rich dark color and good quality, but soft and not productive. Warfield. (Pistillate or with abortive stamens).—Moderately vigor- ous. Flowers small on short truss and well protected by foliage. Fruit of medium size, firm texture, moderately good quality; ripens evenly, holds its size through the season. Its deep rich color and productive habit make it one of the most valuable market sorts. West Lawn. (Pistiliate).—Sent for trial by C. P. Bauer & Bro., Judsonia, Ark. Plants very vigorous but not productive. Similar in general characteristics to ‘‘ Cloud,” which was sent out a few years ago. The best of the older varieties above named are: Bubach, Crescent, Haverland, Sharpless and Warfield, with possibly Beed- er Wood or Michel’s as very early perfect flowering sorts. Of the newer varieties the following deserve special mention: Beverly, Dayton, Epping, Gillespie, Greenville, Parker Earle, Princess, Smeltzer. : W. M. MUNSON. MAINE STATE COLLEGE, \ Orono, ME., April 15, 1895. APPENDIX. 139 The month of May is, perhaps, the best time for setting straw- berry plants in this latitude, though good results often follow fall setting. Two very important considerations in setting the plants are that the crowns be just even with the surface of the earth and that the soil be pressed firmly about the roots. These points can- not be too strongly emphasized, for to their disregard may be traced more than haif the failures in starting new plantings. For general field culture the “matted row” system is probably best. The rows should be as long as convenient, that most of the labor of cultivating may be performed with a horse. The plants should be set eighteen inches apart in rows which are about four feet apart. Thus placed, a little more than seven thousand plants will be required for an acre. During the first season thorough culture should be practiced. It is also well to keep the runners cut back till the parent plants are strong and well developed. Winter protection of the plants is always advisable. The value of such treatment is two fold: Not only are the plants protected from injury, but the fruit is kept clean and bright. The best material for the purpose is coarse meadow hay cut before the seeds have ripened. We have sometimes used “shingle edgings” with very satisfactory results. In the vicinity of large mills this material may often be obtained much more cheaply than the hay. On light gravelly soils we have sometimes resorted to the use of boards on each side of the row of plants as illustrated below: This device is found a very satisfactory means of conserving moisture and will permit the growth of plants in locations which would otherwise be unsuitable. Naturally this device is recom- mended only for the home garden. The question of varieties, although of great importance, is one which must be settled largely by individual growers; for the success of any variety will frequently depend on local conditions. it is always a good plan to have a trial ground for the newer sorts, as varieties of much promise at the Experiment Station may prove worthless in some localities. : In selecting varieties for planting it is well to bear in mind the distinction between the perfect flowering and the pistillate sorts. Many of our most valuable sorts are pistillate and must have some perfect flowering variety interspersed in order to secure the best results. The following notes represent our estimate of the varieties frutted at the Experiment Station during the past two years: Beeder Wood. (Perfect).—Small, spherical, uniform in size early in the season but soon “runs out.” One of the earliest and most prolific sorts but of inferior quality. Plants quite subject to rust. 140 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. Beverly. (Perfect)—Large, oblong or spherical; of a rich dark color, moderately good quality, firm, prolific. A promising variety. Bubach. (Pistillate).—Very large, irregular; of good color but poor quality, and lacking in firmness. Productive; valuable for near mar- kets. Charles Downing. (Perfect).—Of medium size, nearly spherical, moderately firm and of good quality. An old favorite for home use, but not as prolific as some others. Quite subject to rust. Crawford. (Perfect).—Large, nearly spherical,uniform and regu- lar; productive and of good flavor, but too soft and too light colored for market. Crescent. (Pistillate)——An old and deservedly popular sort; but rather small and not of high quality. Cumberland. (Perfect).—Plants vigorous and prolific; fruits large and of good quality, but too light colored and soft for market. One of the best for home use. Dayton. (Perfect).—Medium to large, smooth and regular; of good quality but light colored and soft. Excellent for home use but too soft for market. Epping. (Perfect).—Plants vigorous and prolific; fruit of medium size, roundish ccnical, uniform, bright red. A promising variety, received for trial from George Q. Dow, North Epping,N. H., under the name of “Yankee Doodle.” Gandy. (Perfect).—Of medium size, uniform, regular, firm and of good quality. Usually regarded as of special value as a late variety, but has not held its'‘own with us. Gen. Putnam. (Pistillate.)—Of medium size, but of pale color, soft and inferior in every way. Gillespiv. (Perfeet).—Medium to large,oblong or conical,often with pronomneced neck, firm, of good quality and color. One of the best sorts for general purposes. Greenville. (Pistillate)—Medium to large, roundish .conical, uni- form, bright red, moderately firm and of good quality. Good for home and near market. Haverland. (Pistillate)._-Medium to large, oblong, regular, firm and of good quality. Plants strong and vigorous; free from rust. A very good sort for general purposes. Jessie. (Perfect).—An early sweet berry of good size. Oblong or conical, bright glossy red, handsome and of good quality. It has been one of the most satisfactory with us but is not uniformly reliable. Jewell. (Pistillate).—Of medium size and uniform; but soft and of light color. Not prolific. Leader. (Perfect).—Medium size, roundish, bright red; fairly good quality. Only moderately productive. Lovett. (Perfect).—-Of the Crescent type. Early, prolific, but run- ning small as the season advances and of second quality. Miche’s Early. (Perfect).—The earliest berry we have grown. Very productive, but small and of second quality. Blossoms very ee, ae APPENDIX. 141 early and the flower trusses are short and well protected. Plants only moderately vigorous. Mount Vernon. (Perfect).—Medium size, roundish conical, uniform. Of no special value. Parker Earie. (Perfect)—Very productive, of large elongated fruit having a pronounced neck; firm and of good quality. The plants are very strong and vigorous, but send out few runners, hence should be planted thickly in the row. A valuable sort. Princess. (Pistillate)—Plant strong,vigorous and productive; fruit a little dull in color, but large, nearly spherical, uniform, moderately firm and of good quality. Medium to late in season. One of the best general purpose sorts. Sharpless. (Perfeect).—Plants vigorous and prolific. Fruit large but somewhat irregular and not always ripening evenly. Of good quality and always reliable. Smelizer. (Smeltzer’s Early). (Perfect).—Sent for trial by F. H. Smeltzer, Van Buren, Ark. Plants vigorous, healthy and productive. Fruit uniformly of medium size, oblong, firm, of dark rich color and good quality. A promising’ early variety. Swindle. (Pistillate)—As grown on our grounds the variety is rightly named. Plants strong and vigorous but not productive. Fruit of medium: size, light colored and of very poor quality. Van Deman. (Perfect).—An early variety; small, spherical; of rich dark color and good quality, but soft and not productive. Warfield. (Pistillate or with abortive stamens).—Moderately vigor- ous. Flowers small on short truss and well protected by foliage. Fruit of medium size, firm texture, moderately good quality; ripens evenly, holds its size through the season. Its deep rich color and productive habit make it one of the most valuable market sorts. West Lawn. (Pistillate).--Sent for trial by C. P. Bauer & Bro., Judsonia, Ark. Plants very vigorous but not productive. Similar in general characteristics to “Cloud,” which was sent out a few years ago. The best of the older varieties above named are: Bubach, Crescent, Haverland, Sharpless and Warfield, with possibly Beeder Wood or Michel’s as very early perfect flowering sorts. Of the newer varieties the following deserve special mention: Beverly, Dayton, Epping, Gillespie, Greenville, Parker Earle, Prin- eess, Smeltzer. W. M. MUNSON. MAINE STATE COLLEGE, Orono, Me., April 15, 1895. 142 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. BULLETIN No. 22. INSPECTION OF FERTILIZERS. W. H. Jorban, Director. J. M. BARTLETT, L. H. MERRILL, Chemists. This bulletin is the second to be issued during the year 1895 giving a report of the official inspection of fertilizers. The first bulletin, No. 18, was published on March 9th, and gave the results of the analyses of Manufacturer’s Samples. These samples were furnished by the manufacturers for inspection accompanied by an affidavit that they were Jike the goods which they represented “within reasonable limits.” The samples mentioned in this bulletin are almost wholly those selected by a Station representative at different points in the State from goods which were exposed or offered for sale. These samples were very carefully taken in accordance with the provisions of a law which seeks to guard the rights of the manufacturers, and they certainly represent the particular lots of goods from which they were selected. The main purpose of selecting samples from the various brands of fertilizers as found in the open market is to ascertain if the goods actually on sale meet the requirements of the manufacturer’s guarantees, and whether the manufacturer’s samples, whose analy- ses are published in the Spring bulletin, are to any extent a safe guide in the purchase of fertilizers. The comparison which follows shows very plainly what are the facts. It may be said that on the whole it appears that the manu- facturers intend to deal fairly with the public in the matter of their guarantees, remembering always, of course, that no manufacturer can be held to have guaranteed more than the minimum percent- age in which any ingredient is stated to be present. Notwithstanding certain sarcastic, and we can but believe, un- friendly criticisms, because this Experiment Station decided to drop the system of commercial valuations, there is no present in- tention of receding from that decision. There are already indica- tious that farmers who are disposed to put intelligence into their business will themselves, through the information furnished by the Station, make such calculations as are necessary for their choice of the brand which they can most economically purchase and will in that way understand the situation as they could in no other way; and it is obvious that to those farmers who are so careless or un- informed as not to do this, the valuations made by the Station are likely to be nothing but a stumbling block. Any system of aiding the farmer which is merely mechanical and which leaves out of account a proper study on his part of the 2 APPENDIX. 143 facts with which he has to deal is false in theory and less helpful in practice than it should be. (The bulletin gave the manufacturers guarantees and the analyses of manufacturer’s samples, but as these figures have only a passing value they are omitted here. The comments on the results of the inspection follow, however. W. H. J.) A comparison is made of the samples selected by a Station repre- sentative, the manufacturer’s samples and the minimum guarantees. The important considerations are the following: (1.) Fifty-seven brands are involved in this comparison. (2.) The averages for nitrogen are: Guarantee, 1.99 per cent., manufacturer’s sample, 2.14 per cent., Station sample, 2.09 per cent. For available phosphoric acid the averages are: Guarantee, 7.84 per cent., manufacturer’s sample, 9.05 per cent., Station sample, 8.58 per cent. For potash: Guarantee, 3.31 per cent., manufacturer’s sample, 3.60 per cent., Station sample, 3.42 per cent. (3.) In the fifty-seven brands, the Station sample as compared with the manufacturer’s sample was, in nitrogen practically the same twenty-three times, poorer twenty-two times and _ better twelve times; in available phosphorie acid, practically the same fourteen times, poorer thirty-one times and better twelve times; in potash, practically the same sixteen times, poorer twenty-four times and better seventeen times. (4.) Comparing the Station sample with the minimum guaran- teé, the Station sample was, in nitrogen, practically the same twenty-seven times, poorer nine times, better twenty-one times; in available phosphoric acid, practically the same twenty times, poorer seven times, better thirty times; in potash, practically the same seventeen times, poorer fourteen times, and better twenty- six times. It is quite customary for manufacturers to state a minimum and a maximum guarantee for the percentages of the ingredients of their goods, as for instance the guarantee for available phosphoric acid would be eight to ten per cent. The above comparisons indicate that the manufacturers do not intend to do much more than make good the minimum guarantee. and that this is all the purchaser can safely expect. It is gratifying to note that as a rule the fertilizers sold in the State are well up to this guarantee. Indeed, there is no case which appears to be an attempt to defraud, although in a few instances the particular lots of goods sampled are not quite as good as they should be. MAINE STATE COLLEGE, Orono, Me., 1895. FERTILIZER LAW IN FORCE IN MAINE. PUBLIC LAWS OF MAINE, 1893. CHAPTER 256. AN ACT to regulate the sale and analysis of Commercial Fertilizers. Srction 1. Every manufacturer, company or person who shall sell, offer or expose for sale in this state any commercial fertilizer or any materia! used for fertilizing purposes, the price of which ex- ceeds ten dollars per ton, shall affix to every package of such fertil- izer in a conspicuous place on the outside thereof, a plainly printed statement clearly and truly certifying the number of net pounds in the package sold or offered for sale, the name or trade mark under which the article is sold, the name of the manufacturer or shipper, the place of manufacture, the place of business and a chemical analy- sis stating the percentage of nitrogen, or its equivalent in ammonia in available form, of potash soluble in water, and of phosphoric acid in available form, soluble and reverted as well as the total phosphoric acid. Sect. 2. Every manufacturer, company or person who shall sell, offer or expose for sale in this state any commercial fertilizer or material used for fertilizing purposes, the price of which exceeds ten dollars per ton, shall for each and every fertilizer bearing a dis- tinguishing name or trade mark, file annually with the director of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, between the fifteenth day of November and the fifteenth day of December, a certified copy of the statement, ained in section one of this act, said certified copy to be accompanied, when required, by a sealed glass jar or bottle containing at least one pound of the fertilizer to be sold or offered for sale, and the company or person filing said certified copy with its accompanying saimple of fertilizer shall thereupon make affidavit that said sample corresponds within reasonable limits to the fertil- izer which it represents in the percentage of nitrogen, total and available phosphoric acid, and potash soluble in water which it contains. Such affidavit shall apply to the entire calendar year next succeeding the date upon which said affidavit is made, unless the person or persons making such affidavit shall give notice to the APPENDIX. 145 director of the Maine Experiment Station that a change is to be made during the year in the percentages of the above named ingredients contained in the fertilizer, in which case he shall, before selling or offering for sale such fertilizer, file another certified statement with an accompanying sample of fertilizer and an affidavit as here- inbefore required. The deposit of a sample of fertilizer as herein provided shall be required by said director unless the company,manu- facturer or person selling or offering for sale a fertilizer coming within the provisions of this act, shall certify that its composition for the succeeding year is to be the same as given in the last pre- viously certified statement, in which case the requiring of said sample shall be at the discretion of said director. Sect. 3. The director of the Maine Experiment Station shall an- alyze, or cause to be analyzed, all the samples of fertilizers which come into his possession under the provisions of section two of this act, and shell publish the results therecf in a bulletin or report on or before the fifteenth of March next succeeding. Sect. 4. Any manufacturer, importer, agent or seller of any com- mercial fertilizer, who shall deposit with the director of the Maine Experiment Station a sample or samples of fertilizer under the pro- visions of section two of this act, shall pay annually to said director an analysis fee as follws: ‘Ten dollars for the phosphoric acid and five dollars each for the nitrogen and potash, contained or said to be eontained in the fertilizer, this fee to be assessed on any brand of which thirty tons or more are sold in the state, and upon receipt of such fee and of the certified statement named in section two of this act, said director shall issue a certificate of compliance with this act. Whenever the manufacturer or importer of a fertilizer shall haye filed the statement made in section two of this act and paid the analysis fee, no agent or selier of said manufacturer, importer or shipper shall be required to file such statement or pay such fee. The analysis fees received by said director shall be paid immediately by him into the treasury of said experiment station. Sect. 5. Any manufacturer, importer or person who shall sell, offer or expose for sale in this state anycommercial fertilizer without complying with the requirements of sections one, two and four of this act, or any fertilizer which contains substantially a smaller per- centage of constituents than are certified to be contained, shall, on conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, be fined one hun- dred dollars for the first offence, and two hundred dollars for each subsequent offence. : : Sect. 6. The director of the Maine Experiment Station shall annually analyze, or caused to be analyzed, at least one sample, to be taken in the manner hereinafter presribed, of every fertilizer sold or offered for sale under the provisions of this act. Said director is hereby authorized and directed in person or by deputy to take a sample, not exceeding two pounds in weight, for said analysis, from 146 MAINE STATE COLLEGE. any lot or package of fertilizer or any material used for manurial purposes which may be in the possession of any manufacturer, im- porter, agent or dealer in this state; but said sample shall be drawn. in the presence of said party or parties in interest, or their represen-. tative, and taken from a parcel or a number of packages which shall} not be less than ten per cent. of the whole lot sampled, and shall be thoroughly mixed and then divided into two equal samples and! placed in glass vessels and carefully sealed and a label placedon each,,. stating the name or brand of the fertilizer or material sampled, the name of the party from whose stock the sample was drawn and the- time and place of drawing, and said label shall also be signed by the director or his deputy and by the party or parties in interest or- their representative at the drawing and sealing of said samples; one- of said duplicate samples shall be retained by the directorand the other by the party whose stock was sampled; and the sample or samples: retained by the director shal! be for comparison with the certified statement named in section two of this act. The result of the analy- sis of the sample or samples so procured shall be published in a re- port or bulletin within reasonable time. Sect. 7. Whenever the director becomes cognizant of the violation of any of the provisions of this act he shall report such violation to the secretary of the board of agriculture, and said secretary shall prosecute the party or parties thus reported; but it shall be the duty of said secretary pon thus ascertaining any violation of this act, to forthwith notify the manufacturer or importer in writing, and give him not less than thirty days thereafter in which to comply with the requirements of this act, but there shall be no prosecution in relation to the quality ef any fertilizer or fertilizing material if the same shall be found substantially equivalent to the certified statement named in section two of this act. Sect. 8. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed. Sect. 9. This act shall take effect when approved. Approved March 14. 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