Early Lamb Raising. 169 



While the number of lambs of each breed was small the differ- 

 ence in gain was so great that it is worthy of notice. The Dorset 

 lambs were the largest at birth and gained more each week through- 

 out the whole period of feeding than did the Shropshires, although 

 the greatest gain was made after the fourth week. The Dorset 

 ewes had the appearance of being heavier milkers than the Shrop- 

 shires, and the lambs consequently were stronger and made more 

 growth. 



Tables III and IV show the weekly gain of thoroughbred Shrop- 

 shire and Dorset lambs for 1892-93. From these tables it will be 

 seen that as in the former year the Dorsets made the greater gain. 

 While the number of Shropshire lambs in this test were larger than 

 the Dorsets it must not be inferred that the Shropshires could have 

 made as good a record as the Dorsets had the best been selected, for 

 the very best did not equal the average of the Dorsets. 



In all the tests both the ewes and the lambs were given all the 

 food they would consume ; the food given the two breeds was the 

 same in quality but oftentimes differed considerably in quantity. 

 The Dorset ewes consumed more food than the Shropshires and 

 their appetite seemed less affected by changes in the weather than 

 was the case with the Shropshires. From experiments in feeding 

 these two breeds for three years it was noticed that the Dorsets were 

 the best feeders ; not only did they stand forced feeding better, but 

 were less afEected by unfavorable atmospheric changes. 



