ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 679 



were not observed when 4 k<;!;. molasses per 1,000 kg. live weight was fed, but were 

 noticed if the amount was increased to 4.8 to 5 kg. Feeding molasses, as in the 

 above exi)erinients, is profitable when the molasses is worth 87^ cts. per 100 kg. 

 When inolas.ses was fed a depression in the digestibility of the other feeding stuffs 

 was noticed, which was about the same in all the tests. As regards cost, the ration 

 containing the unmixed molasses was the cheapest; that containing beet-chip molas- 

 ses the most expensive. The results obtained when sugar was fed were practically 

 tl e same as with the rations containing molasses. It may be said, therefore, that 

 the molasses did not have a specific effect. As regards cost, the sugar ration was 

 more expensive than the molasses rations. 



Sheep-feeding' experiments, J. Withycombe {Oregon Sta. Rpt. 1901, p. 22). — 

 The comparative merits of feeding sheep under shelter and in the open were tested 

 with 2 lots of 6 lambs each. The rations, which are not described, were the same 

 for both lots, and, the author states, were practically equal in quantity, except that 

 somewhat more was wasted by the lot having shelter. In 11 weeks the lot fed 

 in the open gained 155 lbs. and the lot fed under shelter 149 lbs. The 2 lots 

 were then shorn, producing 21 and 27.75 lbs. wool, respectively. Ten lbs. of wool 

 from each lot was tub-washed and dried, yielding 7.75 and 8 lbs., respectively. 

 Brief notes are also made regarding a feeding experiment with steers which was 

 regarded as unsatisfactory. 



Spelt vs. barley, E. C. Chilcott and W. T. Thornber {South Dakota Sta. Bui. 71, 

 pp. 94). — During a 2 weeks' preliminary period, 24 lambs fed ])rome-grass hay and 

 spelt and barley (1:1) ad libitum, made a total gain of 53 lbs. , consuming 2 lbs. of grain 

 per pound of gain. The lambs were then divided into 2 lots of 12 each. For 15 

 weeks lot 1 was fed unground spelt, and lot 2 unground barley, in addition to brome- 

 grass hay. The average daily gain per head per week was 1.67 and 2.53 lbs., respec- 

 tively, the grain consumed per pound of gain being 7.47 and 5.09 lbs. There was a 

 calculated profit per lamb in the 2 lots of 44 and 92 cts., respectively. According 

 to the authors' calculation, spelt was worth for feeding 40.68 cts. per bu. and barley 

 54.72 cts. 



"It should be constantly borne in mind that the results obtained in this experi- 

 ment apply to these grains only when fed as a single grain ration and fed whole, 

 and should not l)e used without modification in determining the value of these grains 

 when used as a jiart of the ration together with other grains. Nor can we predict 

 what the results would have been if both grains had been ground. We believe, how- 

 ever, that it is perfectly safe to assume that in no case will spelt be found superior 

 to barley, even when fed with other grains." 



At the close of the test proper the rations previously fed were continued for 5 

 weeks, with the object of determining whether, as is sometimes claimed, unshom 

 sheep fed to about the limit of profitable gain may be shorn and fed longer to advan- 

 tage. Shortly after the beginning of the supplementary period the sheep were 

 shorn, the total fleece of the 2 lots weighing 79 and SOg lbs., respectively. The total 

 gains made by the 2 lots in the supplementary i)eriod were 7.5 and 6 lbs., respec- 

 tively, the total grain fed 487 and 526 lbs. 



"These sheep had undoubtedly ])een fed up to the limit before they were shorn, 

 and the effect of the shearing . . . was entirely insufficient to materially effect their 

 ability to lay on more flesh at a profit, or in some instances to retain what they 

 had already acquired. What the effect would have been had this shearing been done 

 earlier, before they had reached the limit of profitable feeding, we can not of course 

 determine from this experiment, nor can we say what the effect would have been 

 had the grain ration been changed. Enough has been learned from this experiment 

 to show that feeders should be very cautious about attemi)ting to get profitable gains 

 from sheej) tiiat have nearly quite reached the limit of jjrofitable feeding, or are 'fin- 

 ished' by sunpiy taking their fleeces off, believing, as some feeders claim, that this 

 will give them a new lease of life." 



