ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 263 



Dative hay (wire grass) the total water extract was 18.84 per cent and the ash 

 and organic matter 3.79 and 15.0.5 per cent, r(!si)ectively. 



" Such a hirge percentage of soluble nutritious material as is present in alfalfa 

 malve it an excellent subject for bacterial attack and subseijuent fermentation 

 when dampening during the process of drying. This may be one injportant 

 reason for the ease with which alfalfa discolors and ferments, compared with 

 other well-known and much-used forage." 



The value of various grain rations for fattening wethers, (.i. C. Humphrey 

 and V. Ki.Ei.NiiKiNz (W'iscfiiisiii Sla. h'pl. lOO'). pp. J.9-.7J, fi(js. Ii). — Three series 

 of tests are reported, made in each case with 4 lots of 4 animals. In the first 

 test lot 1 was fed cracked corn and whole oats 1:1; lot 2, cracked peas and 

 whole oats 1:1; lot 3, cracked wheat and whole oats 1:1; and lot 4, whole oats. 

 In the other tests the rations were the same, except that barley was substituted 

 for cracked wheat with lot 3. In all cases the grain was supplemented by pas- 

 ture, hay, cabbage, and roots. The tests have covered 14-18 weeks. 



Considering the series as a whole, the average weekly gain on corn and oats 

 was 2.7 lbs. iier head, on peas and oats 2.53 lbs., on barley and oats 2.32 lbs. (2 

 tests only), and on whole oats 2.34 lbs., the cost of food per pound of gain 

 ranging from 4.5 cts. on corn and oats to 6.G9 cts. on peas and oats. In the 

 first year's trial the weekly gain on wheat and oats was 2.G4 lbs. per head and 

 the cost of food per pound of gain 5.2G cts. The lots were each year exhibited 

 at the International Stock Show and were awarded a number of prizes. 



" The results of this experiment indicate that a mixture of cracked corn and 

 whole oats is the most economical feed and the best for producing mutton of the 

 highest quality. 



" The oat ration seems the best for producing firm handling quality without 

 softness or overripeness. Peas and oats are also highly recommended for this 

 purpose, but they proved expensive. Barley and oats gave results that war- 

 rant further trial. The single year's test of wheat and oats was not satis- 

 factory." 



The production of winter lambs, (!. C. Humphrey and F. Kleinheinz (Wis- 

 consUi Sta. Rpt. 190,}, pp. oS-dl, figs. .'/). — Six grade ewes, 4 of which showed 

 Dorset blood, pastured during the summer and bred to a Dorset ram, gave 

 birth to 7 lambs. At lambing time the ewes were kept in a warm pen. They 

 were fed bran, oats, and oil meal 20 : 10 : 1 with clover and alfalfa hay, cabbage, 

 roots, and silage. 



The lambs were fed alfalfa hay and a mixture of bran, oats, corn meal, and 

 oil meal 4:2:2:1. The average weight of the lambs at birth was 10.7 lbs., the 

 average age when marketed 75.2 days, and average weight before shipping G0.4 

 lbs. The calculated net profit i>er lamb was .$G.43. 



The production of satisfactory winter lambs " requires good housing and a 

 knowledge of feeding and management that will insure rapid development of 

 the lambs from birth until placed upon, the market. Such knowledge can be 

 acquired only by experience and studying the conditions and successful opera- 

 tions of others engaged in this occupation." 



The trial reported the authors consider successful. " The lambs were all 

 saved, they developed good form and (|uality, and conmianded a good price. 

 The cost of feed was comparatively small, though the (luantity and quality was 

 all that could be desired. The ewes were good milkers, and had tlun-e been more 

 twins produced, as was the case in former yi>ars, the profits would liave been 

 still greater. 



" In selecting ewes for winter lambs, size, prolificacy, and good milking quali- 

 ties are essential, as the gains made by the lambs are largely dei)eudent upon 



