KXPEKIMi;.\T STATION UULLETINS. Hil 



shnink 2.:; lbs. in transit. On January 10th, 1904, when the experiment proper 

 began, these lambs averaged G7.3S lbs.; ut the close of the experiment, April 12th, 

 eighty-five days later, they averaged 9G.0o lbs. On April ICth, the lambs were 

 shorn, producing an average of 6.56 lbs. of wool per head. On May 16th, at the 

 time of shipment, the lambs averaged 90.88 lbs. During the time stated, no less 

 than 47.6 lbs. per head was added to the 58.8 lb. lambs with which the feeding 

 operations began. 



METHODS OF I'KKniNO AM) II.\.M)LIX(;. 



The lambs were enclosed continually, there being no access to yards, each lot 

 of eighteen being confined in a space 14x10 ft. Both grain and hay were supplied 

 twice daily, the latter being fed in the same racks after the former had been 

 consumed. Constant access to rock salt and water was provided, plenty of fresh 

 air was supplied, and the proper temperature maintained as far as possible. From 

 the beginning of the preliminary period, December 24th, 1903, the lambs were 

 started on the rations used during the test proper. They were first given .25 lb. 

 concentrates per head daily, which was gradually increased, a slight increase being 

 made each day. From' January 19th to February 16th, the first twenty-eight days 

 of the test proper, the lambs consumed an average of 1.01 lbs. concentrates per 

 head per day; during the second twenty-eight days, from February IGth to March 

 15th. the amount reached 1.24 lbs., and during the last twenty-nine days, extend- 

 ing to April 13th, 1.60 lbs. We consider the gradual increase in the grain ration 

 Irom day to day. and light feeding during the preliminary period, to be two of the 

 most imijortant factors in successful and economical sheep feeding. 



Clover hay was supplied according to the needs of the lambs after consuming 

 their various rations of concentrates. The weights hereafter given consist of the 

 average of three consecutive days' weights, and date from the second weigh day. 



Of the ninety lambs used in this test, not one v/as off feed for a single meal 

 during the eighty-five days, nor could any ill-doers be found among them. 



THE KATIOXS. 



The following are the rations used during the experiment, the proportions being 

 given by weight: 



For Lot 1. Corn 4 parts, bran 2, linseed meal 1; cost per cwt. 97c. 



For Lot II. Corn 4 parts, bran 2, linseed meal 1, beet pulp 7; cost per cwt. 77c. 



For Lot in. Dried beet pulp 4 parts, bran 2, linseed meal 1; cost per cwt. 78c. 



For Lot IV. Dried molasses-beet-pulp 3 parts, linseed meal 1; cost per cwt. 86c. 



For Lot V. Dried beet pulp 3 parts, linseed meal 1; cost per cwt. 78c. 



The following food valuations represent the actual (!Ost of the food stuffs, nearly 

 all of which, with the exception of the clover, were purchased in the open market: 

 Linseed meal, $28.00 per ton: bran, $18.00; corn, $18.00; dried molasses-beet-pulp, 

 $13.70; dried beet pulp. $11.60, and clover hay. $5.00. 



THE I'KKH.MIXAIJV (•■i:KI)I\(; I'ElUOl). 



During this period of twenty-six days from December 24th, 1903, to January 

 19th, 1904, the' rations used for the five lots of lambs were the same as those 

 heretofore described, and the following amounts vv^ere consumed by the various 

 lots of eighteen each: 



« 



Lot I. consumed 744 lbs. clover liay and 295 5 lbs. concentrates. 



Lot II. consumed 744 lbs. clover hay and 295.5 lbs. concentrates 



Lot III. consumed 744 lbs. clover hay and 295.5 lbs. concentrates. 



Lot IV. consumed 698 lbs. clover hay and 295.5 lbs. concentrates. 



Lot V. consumed 730 lbs. clover hay and 295.5 lbs. concentrates. 



During this period the consumption of concentrates was the same in every case, 

 amounting to .63 lb. per head per day. Where, however, the two kinds of pulp 

 were used in largest proportion for Lots IV and V, these lambs failed to consume 

 as much hay as the others. The total cost of the food consumed during this period 



21 



