FOODS ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 329 



Lot 2 was fed until February l~> a ratidu of Huflalo gluteu feed and 

 rowen liay, with or without corn-and-soja-bean silage, having- u nutri- 

 tive ratio of 1 : 5,5; and from that time to the close of the experiment a 

 ration of Buffalo gluten feed, cotton-seed meal, rowen hay, and corn- 

 aud sqja beau silage, with a nutritive ratio of about 1 : 4.5. 



The details of the experiment are fully tabulated, including analyses 

 of the feeding stuffs used with reference to both food and fertilizing 

 ingredients. In calculating the cost of the rations, Buffalo gluten feed 

 was reckoned at #21, cotton seed meal at 828, rowen at $15, aiul corn- 

 and-soja-bean silage at $2,75 per ton. During the time that the 2 lots 

 were fed rations with different nutritive ratios, /. e., November 19 to 

 February 14, the 3 sheep in lot 1 gained 72,5 lbs., and those in lot 2 

 67 lbs.; but it is mentioned that 1 sheep in lot 2 suffered from a severe 

 cold during December and made small gains. Had this sheep gamed 

 as rapidly as the 2 others in lot 2 '• the gains of the 2 lots would have 

 been practically identical." The total cost of the food for lot 1 was 

 $5,46, and for lot 2, $4.90, and the net cost $2.36 and $2.32, res])ectively. 



The substitution of corn-and-soja-bean silage for the larger part of 

 the roweu toward the close of the experiment was accompanied by a 

 reduction in the total and net cost of the food per pound of gain, and 

 also by a slight reduction in the amount of dry matter eaten per pound 

 of gain. 



Considering the whole experiment, the cost of producing a pouud of 

 live and dressed weight in growing lambs is calculated. The sheej) 

 were sheared the day before the experiment began and again at the 

 termination of the experiment. They were bought at 6 cts. x)er pound 

 live weight and sold at 11 cts. per pound dressed weight. 



"The average total cost of feeil required to produce 1 lb. of live weight on the 

 retail price of coarse fodders and grains . . . was 7.67 cts. and the net cost 3.41 cts. 

 The total cost per pound of dressed weight was 15.13 cts. and the net cost 6.94 cts. 



"The profit and loss account shows that the financial advantages of feeding year- 

 lings during the winter are to be found (1) in selling the coarse fodder articles at a 

 fair retail price, and (2) in the value of the manure produced. . . . The manure 

 (allowing 15 cts. per pound for nitrogen, 5i for phosjthoric acid, and 4^ for potash) 

 has been found to be equal to one half the cost of the feed consumed. . . 



"The result of the experiment is in fiivor of the corn-and-soja-bean silage as a sub- 

 stitute for a larger part of the roweu. . . . 



"This experiment wonhl iudicate— and it is borm^ out by the niiijority of other 

 experiments made with reference to this point — that for the produetiuu of lean and 

 fat in case of grouiug aniuuils a ratio of 1 : 5 to 1 : 5.5 is about as economical a one as 

 can be fed. 



" [Concerning the proportion of fat and lean] these results give no positive infor- 

 mation, but would indicate in this case that the coustitutioiuil tendency of the 

 animal, rather than the feed consumed, governed the amount of fat and flesh pro- 

 duced." 



General sunamary of feeding experiments with growing lambs, 



1890-'93, J, B, LINDSE^' {Massta-lnisctls ^State Sta. Kpt. isi):j, pp. 

 5J-56).— This is a re^'iew of the experiments reported in Bulletins 37 

 9467— No. 4 () 



