808 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



gain of 190 pounds, requiring 7.6 lbs. of grain and 29.1 lbs. of coarse fodder per pound 

 of gain, hi the case of a similar lot without exercise the total gain was 283 lbs. 

 and the grain and coarse fodder required per pound of gain 5.1 lbs. and 19.6 lbs., 

 respectively. 



The relative cost of the feed per pound of gain in the 2 lots was 15.1 cts. and 10.2 cts. 

 According to the authors, the results obtained in the two tests were in some respects 

 contradictory, yet the average results for both trials are somewhat in favor of con- 

 finement for fattening sheep in winter. The data obtained up to the present time 

 are not regarded as sufficient for final deductions. 



Effect upon the lambs of feeding a mixed grain ration of corn, oats, and. 

 bran to pregnant ewes, W. B. Richards and F. Kleinheinz (Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 

 1904, VP- 60-66). — Forty ewes from the station flock were divided into 4 uniform 

 lots of 10 each and fed like rations of a mixture of equal parts of corn, oats, and bran 

 with corn silage and hay, this test being a continuation of work previously reported 

 in which ewes were fed a single grain (E. S. R., 14, p. 996). The gain in weight in 

 the 11 weeks of the test ranged from 94 lbs. to 167 lbs., averaging 146.1 lbs. per lot. 

 The average number of lambs per lot was 14, the average weight at birth 8.4 lbs., 

 the percentage of strong lambs 86.7, of medium lambs 6.6, and of weak lambs 6.7. 



The test is discussed at length and compared with the results of the earlier test 

 referred to. In the authors' opinion the mixed grain ration tested is satisfactory for 

 breeding ewes and is as economical as feeding a single grain, such as shelled corn, 

 whole oats, wheat bran, or dried brewers' grains. When the milk supply of the 

 ewes is considered a ration of dried brewers' grains gave better results than the 

 mixed ration fed in the test reported. The average increase of lambs was greater in 

 the case of the ewes fed a single grain ration, but the percentage of strong lambs was 

 not as high as on a single grain. 



"Corn silage with hay proved to be a good winter roughage ration for breeding 

 ewes as in all trials previously made at this station." The milk supply of the ewes 

 when the lambs were born was noted, 64.8 of them being rated as "good " in this 

 respect. "Grouping the ewes in this experiment according to breeds shows that 

 the Dorsets and Southdowns excel the other breeds in milk supply at the time of 

 parturition. There is considerable difference shown between the different breeds 

 used in the trial as regards percentage of increase in strength and weight of the lambs 

 at birth. The number of some of the breeds represented, however, is too small to 

 show any definite results regarding these points." 



Sheep-shearing test at Hanover in 1903, C. Lehmann (Arb. Dent. Landw. 

 Gesell., 1904, No. 95, pp. 87, figs. 71). — The detailed results of a sheep-shearing test are 

 given. The average live weight of the 70 animals included was 59.53 kg. shorn and 

 that of the unwashed fleece 5.41 kg. 



Whole corn compared with corn meal for fattening pigs; eighth year 

 trial, W. A. Henry ( Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 1904, pp. 20-24)- — Continuing earlier work 

 (E. S. R., 16, p. 86), whole corn was compared with the same corn ground using 2 

 lots of 4 pigs averaging 126 lbs. and 2 lots of 3 pigs each averaging 83 lbs. in weight. 



In the 10 weeks of the test the total gain of the older pigs fed shelled corn was 208 

 lbs. and of the younger pigs 60 lbs., the feed required per pound of gain in each case 

 being 5.48 lbs. and 7.38 lbs. In the case of corn meal the total gain of the older pigs 

 was 246 lbs. and of the younger pigs 71 lbs., the feed required per pound of gain in 

 the 2 cases being 5.72 lbs. and 8.2 lbs. 



"So far as these trials are concerned, it is shown that in both cases there was a 

 waste of food by reducing the corn to meal by grinding. . . . Mature hogs under 

 confinement will show large gains for several weeks on the exclusive corn diet, but 

 such gains are not long continued. Young growing pigs must buildup bone and 

 muscle if they are to increase materially in weight and grow normally; they can 

 not secure from the corn grain the necessary food elements for the body structure, 



