Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 108]

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108

The feeding experiments are as follows : 1. Sixteen steers coming three years old are fed, 8 in the yard on shock corn, the usual way of feeding. These are pretty weli sheltered from the wind by the barn and a high, tight board fence ; 8 are fed in the barn, tied in stalls, 2 of which have corn in the ear, 2 corn meal fed dry, 2 corn meal mixed with cut straw wet, and 2 on middlings and cut straw—all (in the barn) having what clover they will eat, of the best quality. Those fed the cut straw requiring one-half the amount of the other. m 2. Two yearling steers are fed in the barn.' One has 12 lbs of corn in the ear, daily, and one same weight of wheat bran. Each having straw for roughness. 3. An old cow is fed on meal, beets and clover. 4. Comparing Berkshire and Poland China hogs. The first trial commenced October 1, and ended December 1, the result of which has been reported to Mr. Johnson, Superintendent of Experiments. Another was commenced March 1, the same trial as the first, together with a list of the value of grinding and feeding the meal dry. 5. To ascertain, in corn, the cost of raising hogs from first to last, as well as to learn what stage of growth costs least. This was commenced by taking two breeding sows at the time of breeding, and keeping weights. This, for reasons beyond our control, has been a failure. I would recommend the continuation of the experiments enumerated above, with an addition in cattle feeding of a test in steaming the feed, substituting hay or straw for the corn stalks used in the experiment two years ago. While it seems desirable to feed hogs high, so as to place them on the market as soon as possible, it is evident that the stock is being injured by the continued use of corn as feed, and nothing else. The result of this seems to be that the blood becomes degenerated and the constitution weak, terminating in disease, principally cholera. More than this, the concentrated nature of the food used is such that the stomach of the animal is reduced in size, so that but a small amount of food can be consumed, and in the end the practice defeats itself. I would recommend a continued trial of beets, fed with corn, and at times without, carefully noting the result. Beets thrive remarkably well in this soil, as we raised a fine crop last year, notwithstanding the drouth. I think but few farmers appreciate the value of sour milk and-kitchen slop, when fed to hogs ; my own idea being, that the sour milk from a good cow will go a long way toward paying for the keep of the cow, as the hogs thus fed, when young, seem ever after to be better animals. I think a valuable experiment might be made with material we always have on hand, to prove or disprove these conclusions. Milk is the best preventive of hog cholera known, and I think a drink of new warm milk will go further toward curing a hog sick with this disease than all the poison drugs or any part of them, known. In December last, as you are aware, but it has not been formally reported, I purchased two Short Horn heifers. While I think the investment a good one, we are in need oT something better. I hope arrangements will be made for the early purchase of a cow or heifer, such as we need. The sales of stock made, that stands to the credit of this branch of the department, are as follows : Short Horns, cow and bull calf $350 00 Ayrshires, 2 cows, 2 calves, 2 bulls 350 00 Devon bull and calf 80 00 Jersey calf -. \ 50 00 Total cash sales Herreford cow and b u l l : Total sales Note payable November 10, 1875 $830 00 240 00 : 51,070 00

Deducting the amount paid for the Short Horn heifers, leaves $785 00 It has been suggest that the Short-horn bull might be sold and a younger animal purchased* He can be sold for a fair price, and the use of him retained as long as desired or till we have another of suitable age for service. In conclusion, I will say that I share with others the " inspiration " that says we are to have the best season for crops and prices for several years. We have hauled out a large amount of manure, about 700 loads, covering about 18 acres, (about one-half of this has come from the city,) and the land is all in good shape. The good prospects we have, coupled with the faith and determination we have to succeed (no very small items) lead me to believe that you can safely count on the Agricultural Department for a good dividend for the coming year. E. L. LAWRENCE, • Head Farmer. URBAN A, March 8,1875.

REPORT OF PROF. T. J BURRILL .

DR. J. M. GREGORY, Regent : The operations in the Horticultural Department since the last meeting of the Trustees, have been confined within doors—posting the books of record, grafting by the class, and the usual work in the greenhouse. The heating of the latter has heen much more satisfactory than ever before. By a'change made last summer in the setting of the boiler and the flue, the same apparatus hereto/ore in use has been much more effective with less consumption of coal. There has been a serious difficulty in regard to water supply the latter part of the winter. The plants are in good condition, showing better than words the efficiency of the student, R. H. Hannah, who has the care of them.

NEEDS O F T H E D E P A R T M E N T .

INI INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY, URBAN A, I I I . March 9,1875.

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The fences are in many places out of repair. We have always beeu troubled with inroads of cattle in the arboretum grounds. A change suggested by the Business Agent is hereby recommended, viz: throw outside the walk on the west, and the row of lots on the north. On the south side of the orchard and experimental farm the opening of a road calls for a fence the whole length. The hedge is sufficient a part of the way—on the east of forest and west of orchard