210 



June 24 (eighfc weeks) 1,130 pouads, aud during the thirteen weeks fol- 

 lowing only 252 pounds. ''Some reasons for these variations are obvi- 

 ous, but it is difficult to explain all of them. Except during October, 

 1888, the pastures did not appear to be grazed unusually short at any 

 time. In the earlier part of each season the supply of grass was appar- 

 ently more than the cattle needed. It seems evident, however, that 

 they were too heavily stocked, taking the seasons as a whole. In no 

 case was there a satisfactory gain per animal for the summer's graz- 

 ing." 



The results of trials in former years are cited where 'gains were made 

 by yearling steers between May 1 aud November 1 of from 225 to 420 

 pounds each, and by 2-yearold steers of from 280 to 466 pounds in the 

 same length of time. " The gains per acre of grass land were more 

 satisfactory than the gains per animal." The 3 acre pasture supported 

 in 1888 four steers, which from May 14 to October 1 made a total gain, 

 in weight of 739 pouuds, or 246 pounds per acre, and in 1889 three 

 steers, which from May 20 to September 24 made a total gain of 617 

 pounds, or 206 pouuds per acre. '' With cattle selling at a reasonable 

 price any of these gains would give a good return for the use of the 

 land ; especially as pasturage is one of the least exhaustive uses to 

 which we can put our lands." 



Gain from pasture and grain. — The grain-fed steers made a more uni- 

 form gain than those on pasture alone. lu 1888 the four steers ou the 

 2 acres of grass with grain gained from May 14 to October 1 only 39 

 pounds more than the four ou 3 acres of grass with no grain. " That 

 is, there was a gain of 39 pouuds in weight, a saving of 1 acre of pastur- 

 age, and an undetermined increase in the value of the manure to offset 

 the value of the 2,8[j4 pouuds of grain fed aud the increase of labor made 

 necessary by this feeding. Evidently the grain was fed at a loss in 

 this case." In 1889 the steers receiving grain, ou the same 2 acres of 

 pasture, gained from May 27 to September 24, 130 pounds more than 

 the three on the 3-acre pasture with no grain. The two pigs running 

 with the grain-fed steers increased 129.5 pounds in weight during this 

 period. " With beef and pork selling at average prices, this increased 

 gain and the rental value of 1 acre of land would about equal the value 

 of the corn fed. No considerable difference was found in the rate of 

 gain in the two lots of steers in the autumn months when both were 

 fed grain. In two cases the advantage was with the lots which had 

 received no grain during the summer; in the third case the grain-fed 

 steers made slightly larger gain in autumn than those which had had 

 pasture only." 



Similar experiments are to be made in 1890. 



The questions to be solved are more complex than appears at first statement. Thus, 

 evidently cattle with a grain ration will eat less grass; but how much less? The 

 droppings of the grain-fed cattle will be more valuable as manure; but how much 

 more? Abetter result will be secured if hogs follow the grain-fed cattle; but in 

 what number ? Aside from such questions as these, correct answers to which can not 



