472 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.38 



time was $37. This varied in localities and especially in the methods followed 

 by the breeders, ranging from $25 to over .$50 per head. 



The cows on the farms were divided into four lots in accordance with the 

 number of feed units. The cost of winter feed varied with the amount of feed, 

 averaging for the winter for the four lots, $10.70, $13.50, $18.50, and $21 per 

 head, respectively. It is concluded that large quantities of feed in the last 

 two lots were wasted. P'rom the first lot 800 calves were sold at weaning time 

 at an average profit of $4.60 per head while 700 from the last group sold at a 

 loss of $8.90 per head. 



In a study of the feeding methods on the 478 farms the cows on those where 

 no cheap roughage was fed were wintered at an average cost of $18 each. 

 Those using up to 40 per cent of cheap roughage wintered at a cost of $17.70, 

 those with roughage up to 80 per cent $13.80, and those with roughage making 

 up over 80 per cent of the ration at $9 per head. 



AVhile the feeding of grain is deemed frequently advisable, as in raising pure- 

 bred and show cattle, yet it can often be dispensed with. On 154 of the farms 

 studied corn was fed for at least a part of the time to the breeding herd. The 

 average winter feed bill was $17.10 per head while in the remaining herds 

 where no corn was fed the cost was $14.80 per head. 



The investigations indicated that the feeding of unhusked corn fodder, a 

 practice established years ago, is not profitable now with corn at present prices. 

 Silage, though an excellent feed for breeding animals, w^as relatively more 

 expensive than much of the cheap roughage. 



A study of five representative farms is given with suggestions as to changes 

 that seem in each case advisable. 



Nature and rate of growth in lambs during the first year, E. G. Ritzman 

 (U. S. Dept. Agr., Jonr. Agr. Research, 11 (1917), No. 11, pp. 607-624, flffs. 2).— 

 Studies, by total weights and the measurements of parts, were made at the 

 New Hampshire Experiment Station of the growth of lambs during their 

 fir.st year and the correlation of different sections of the animal body during 

 this process. The measurements were made largely on skeletal dimensions and 

 were not materially affected by flesh. Body size was measured by height, 

 length of vertebral axis, depth, and spread of frame. 



Experiments under way indicate that depth of body is the most satisfactory 

 index of constitutional development. As the proportions of the parts of the 

 bodies of newborn lambs are different from those of more mature animals, the 

 measurements made at different periods and given in tables and cliagrams show 

 the proportionate changes taking place. 



The most rapid development in the growth of young lambs occurred in the 

 period following birth, decreasing as they reached maturity. In this study the 

 lambs in their first three months made at least 50 per cent of their growth for 

 the first year in dimensions and over 60 per cent of their weight. In their 

 second three months they made 20 per cent, the lessening being partly due to 

 the lambs going on pasture and being w^eaned. During the third quarter, coming 

 in the fall of the year, the lambs made 20 per cent more growth, and during 

 the fourth or winter period not over 5 per cent. This indicates, from an eco- 

 nomic standpoint, that under usual conditions the greatest profits are to be 

 expected when the surplus as lambs is marketed as early in life as they can be 

 fitted for sale. 



Fish meal as a feed for swine, F. G. Ashbrook {XJ. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 610 

 {1917), pp. 9). — Although fish meal has been used as a feed in foreign countries 

 for some yeai's its use in the United States for this purpose has been almost 

 negligible. While valuable as a fertilizer it is deemed more profitable to fii'st 

 employ it as a feed. 



