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We get a much better understanding of the above rations if we 

 compare them by the standard known as the nutritive ratio. 

 The nutritive ratio in a given ration is obtained by multiplying 

 the amovuit of digestible fat by 2^, and to this adding the amount 

 of digestible fibre and nitrogen free-extract, and dividing the whole 

 by the amount of the digestible protein ; or, in other words, the 

 nutritive ratio is the ratio of the protein to the carbhydrates plus 

 2^ times the fats. 



Applying this formula now to the rations given above, we get 

 the nutritive ratio of the rations of the various lots as follows, and 

 since Lot II and Lot I of the experiments reported in Bulletin II 

 were fed rations similar in character to Lots III and IV respect- 

 ively, we give the nutritive ratios of the rations of those Lots for 

 purposes of comparison. 



Nutritive Ratio. 



Lot II (Bull. 11) . . I : 8.4 

 Lot I (Bull. II) . . I : z.i 



Lot VI . . . I : 6.3 



As stated in Bulletin II, according to the German standards, as 

 laid down by Armsby (Manual of Cattle Feeding, Page 401), i : 4 

 is the narrowest and i : 7 the widest ratio advisable for fattening 

 sheep. It will be seen then that our Lots Nos. V and VI were 

 fed what might be called an intermediate ration, from the use of 

 which good results might be expected, while Lot III received a 

 ration far too rich in carbonaceous matter, and Lot IV a ration ap- 

 proaching the limit of richness in protein. The ration of Lot III 

 was considerably richer in carbonaceous matter than that of Lot II 

 of last year, while the ration of Lot IV was not so rich in protein 

 as that of Lot I of last year. This should be borne in mind, in 

 what follows. 



THE WATER DRANK. 



The lambs had access to water the whole time. In the winter it 

 was warmed to about 80° before being offered them. The weight 

 was obtained in the following manner : A pail of water was 

 weighed and placed in the pen, where it remained till the next 

 morning, the sheep drinking whenever they wished. Each morn- 

 ing the pail, with whatever water remained in it, was weighed 



