BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 79 



senting information to the farmers. Methods of feeding are ex- 

 plained, and the animals are on hand to show the results that were 

 obtained. 



One hundred and eighteen demonstrations on the roping, castra- 

 tion, and dehorning of cattle and on the improvement of pastures 

 were conducted before 3,348 farmers. After a few animals were 

 operated on, the farmers were asked to try the operation. This 

 induces many farmers to dehorn and castrate their calves at the 

 proper time and forwards the campaign against the scrub bull. 



Twenty additional live-stock organizations have been formed with 

 a membership of 925. Assistance is given the officers of these asso- 

 ciations to keep them active and increase their efficiency. 



In addition to the cattle which were fed in the demonstrations, the 

 agents supervised in a general way the feeding of many more. In 

 South Carolina about 1,500 head were fed in the demonstrations, but 

 about 4,100 were fed according to directions furnished by the agents. 

 Three cooperative sales were held at the end of the feeding period, 

 which were attended by buyers from New York, Baltimore, Eich- 

 mond, and several small cities of the East. The cattle brought very 

 satisfactory prices. The difference in the selling price of poorly 

 finished scrub cattle and well-fattened, high-grade cattle was force- 

 fully illustrated to the hundreds of people present, some of the scrubs 

 bringing 4 or 4| cents a pound and one lot of high grades selling for 

 9 cents a pound. 



In Tennessee the agents have assisted in introducing pure-bred 

 bulls. In Alabama a number of feeding demonstrations were con- 

 ducted, showing the comparative value of some of the common feed- 

 stuffs for fattening cattle. 



In Mississippi the agent devoted part of his time to the organiza- 

 tion of baby beef clubs. On June 1, 1916, there were 571 members, 

 and they are preparing to have an exhibit of calves at the State fair 

 in the fall. The agent has also organized stock- judging teams at 11 

 schools, to take part in a stock-judging contest at the State fair. 

 Several hundred boys are receiving the benefit of this training in 

 live-stock judging. 



SHEEP AND GOAT INVESTIGATIONS. 



BANGE SHEEP INVESTIGATIONS. 



The experimental flock of sheep at Laramie, Wyo., numbers 900 

 ewes, including 180 yearlings to be bred in October, 1916. The 1916 

 lambing yielded 340 Kambouillet, 54 pure Corriedales, and 200 by 

 Corriedale sires from dams of four different long-wool crosses. 



Although the owners of the ranch upon which this flock has been 

 kept have furnished good facilities for the work and have given 

 all possible assistance, the labor required and the numerous divisions 

 which the experiments demand have passed beyond what can rea- 

 sonably be expected upon a ranch not wholly devoted to investiga- 

 tional work. During the year a suitable area of land in Fremont 

 County, Idaho, was withdrawn from entry by Executive order, to be 

 used as a United States sheep experiment station. Negotiations with 

 the Forest Service are in progress to procure suitable and convenient 

 summer grazing. It is expected to transfer the flock in Wyoming to 

 the new ranch during the coming fiscal yeax. 



