590 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



4 GEORGE V., A. 1914 



EXPERIMENTAL STATION, CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT— J. A. CLARK, B.S.A. 



BREEDING SHEEP. 



A3 this farm is small and allows for no pasturage, it is impossible to maintain 

 a breeding flock. Nevertheless there are many problems in lamb breeding which 

 demand immediate attention, and these are being investigated as time permits. 



EXPERIMENT IN FATTENING LAMBS. 



To determine the relative value of roughage for fattening lambs, a second experi- 

 ment, similar in outline to the one conducted in 1912, has been carried on. Owing to 

 increased facilities for housing and feeding, additional pens were added there being in 

 all six lots of 12 lambs each and one lot of 11 lambs, a total of 83 lambs. 



Wether and ewe lambs, as near uniform in weight as possible, were selected. 

 They were medium-sized lambs, the average weight being 74-5 pounds. These lambs 

 were purchased in Prince county, and represented grades of many breeds. 



The lambs were allowed to run on rape and pasture for a short time previous to 

 being put on feed. 



After this preparatory period they were fed as follows: — Each lot received 2 

 pounds 8 ounces per diem at starting, and an increase of 8 ounces of a meal mixture 

 per diem throughout the experiment. The meal mixture was made up as follows: — 

 100 pounds oats, 100 pounds barley, 100 pounds peas and 300 pounds bran. The 

 roughage fed the different lots was as follows: Lot I received alfalfa hay until 

 January 14, when, owing to the supply of first quality alfalfa hay giving out, a 

 second quality, containing about 30 per cent couch grass, was supplemented with 3 

 pounds of bran per diem per pen. Notwithstanding the addition of bran, this pen 

 fell off in gains from that time. 



Lot II was fed as much mixed hay (60 per cent timothy) and corn stover a3 they 

 would eat. They began with equal parts of hay and stover. The stover was increased 

 the first of January to 55 per cent of the roughage and continued so until the end of 

 the experiment. 



Lot III was fed what timothy hay and mangels they would eat. 



Lot IV was fed oats and pea hay and what turnips they would eat. 



Lot V was fed alfalfa hay and turnips. These lambs did not make nearly as 

 good gains as lot I for the first two months, but later they came out ahead, when 

 both lots were fed the poorer quality of alfalfa hay. 



Lot VI was fed mixed hay (60 per cent timothy) and garden refuse (waste cab- 

 bo ge, tops of vegetables, etc.). 



Lot VII was fed timothy hay and oats and pea hay mixed together. 



The lambs were badly infested with ticks and lice. The ticks were destroyed 

 in two dippings, but the lice continued to annoy the lambs throughout the period, the 

 creolin dip having little effect upon these merciless vermin. 



In calculating the cost of feeding, the following prices were charged :~ 



Roots, ensilage and garden refuse $2 00 per ton 



Hay ~M " 



Meal mixture 25.00 



