74 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 



The data secured in the loose versus tied experiment do not agree with results 

 of similar work conduct-ed elsewhere. The conditions in the case of the lot fed loose 

 were possibly not so favourable as in the case of the lots fed tied. The temperature 

 was on the average 10 or 12 degrees lower in the case of the lot fed loose. Xine 

 steers were in each lot. It is possible that had there been fewer steers in the lots 

 different results would have been observed. Ample space was allowed at the feed 

 troughs for all, but the stronger steers made relatively greater gains than those of a 

 quieter or more timid disposition. To test the relative economy of feeding a small 

 or a large nunaber together, there are being fed here at present lots of 9, 6 and 3 

 steers each. Exactly the same floor space is allowed per steer in each lot, namely, 62 

 square feet. 



The rations fed the different lots were, of course, similar. The grain or meal 

 was exactly the same per lot, whether tied or loose. The roughage, or at least the 

 mixture of roots, ensilage, chaff" and hay being limited only by the appetite of the lots. 

 The lot fed loose ate much more of this than the lots fed tied. The exercise possible 

 in the pen where they were fed was quite insufficient to account for this, nor would 

 the difference in temperature mentioned above, for the greatest differences in the 

 amounts of roughage consumed were observed when the temperatures were similar 

 in March, April and part of May. 



FEEDING STEERS. 



No experiments with feeding stuffs have been conducted during the year. In 

 November, 1899, there were put up to feed 77 steers. These cost in the stables, 

 $2,464. The total cost to feed them was $966.85. making a gross cost of $3,430.85. 

 They sold for $3,773,14, leaving a net profit of $342.29. The average net profit per 

 steer was $4.44. 



In estimating the cost of feeding, the following prices were charged : — 



Per ton. 



Clover hay $5 00 



Straw 3 00 



Ensilage 2 00 



Roots, 6 cents per bushel or 2 00 



Corn 16 00 



Oats, pease or barley 19 00 



Bran 15 00 



Oil meal 35 00 



The steers were fed twice a day, morning and night. A mixture of roots (as long 

 as roots lasted), ensilage, straw and meal being given first each meal, followed by a 

 light feed of long hay. For the first few weeks no grain or meal was fed, and later 

 the grain ration grew gradually till about six pounds per diem was being fed. A some- 

 what different plan was followed in the case of the yearlings, however, which received 

 no grain till April. 



The meal ration consisted of half corn, half oats, pease, barley and bran, equal 

 parts. About six weeks before selling, an addition of a small amount of oil meal 

 was made to this ration, starting with on<:;-thii*d pound per diem, and going up to one 

 and a half pounds. 



Below are statements of the results in some of the different lots : — 



