ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



277 



In a second trial lastinj; 22 weeks, on similar rations, the gains were equal 

 but the sugar beet and corn ration cost 9.55 cts. per pound and the corn ration 

 9.41 cts. From these trials it is estimated that from 4i to 5 lbs. of sugar beets 

 equal the results jiroduced by 1 lb. of corn. 



Ration experiment with lambs, 1906—7, 1907—8. Self feeders for hay, 

 AV. L. Carlyle and G. E. Morton (Colorado Sta. Bui. 151, pp. 3-8, fig. J). — A 

 ration of corn, uncut alfalfa hay, and oil meal fed to 125 grade Shropshire lambs 

 for n weeks produced a total gain of 1,621 lbs. at a cost of 8.73 cts. per pomid. 

 With cut hay the total corresponding gain was 1,505 lbs. at a cost of 7.61 ets. 

 per pound, but the hay eaten by the lot fed whole hay was double that eaten by 

 the other lot. 



In a second trial with corn and whole hay fed on the ground the total 

 gain in weight of 200 lambs in 14 weeks was 6,742 lbs. at a cost of 4.89 cts. 

 per pound. With corn and whole hay fed in a self-feeder, the total gain was 

 6,930 lbs. at a cost of 4.47 cts. per pound, and with corn and cut hay in a self- 

 feeder, 7,655 lbs. at a cost of 4.48 cts. per pound. In this trial 4,700 lbs. less 

 of hay was used by the lot fed whole hay in the self-feeder than by that fed cut 

 hay. This may be accounted for by too wide an opening in the self-feeder where 

 the lambs remove the hay, resulting in some waste of cut hay. The feeds were 

 rated as follows: Coini, 1 ct. per pound, alfalfa hay, $5 per ton, cut hay, $6 per 

 ton. and oil meal 2 cts. per i)ound. It is concluded that this trial shows no 

 economy in cutting a good quality of alfalfa hay, although it is pointed out that 

 changes in the construction of the self-feeders may result in a greater saving 

 of the hay. 



Witli reference to the value of the self-feeders, one trial " shows a considerable 

 saving. With hay at $7 per ton, the self-feeders, costing $1 per running foot for 

 materials, repaid their initial cost in one season, accommodating 6 lambs to the 

 running foot." 



Roots and corn silage for fattening lambs, W. J. Kennedy, E. T. Robbins, 

 and H. H. Kildke iloira Hfa. Bui. 110. pp. .'i51-JiT,, fifj.^. S).— This biilletiiin 

 reports the work of 3 seasons in which feeding tests were made to com])are the 

 value of corn silage, cabbage, and roots and to determine whether succulent 

 feed was essential to rapid gain, high condition, and quality of finish in the 

 winter fattening of lambs. The basal ration included alfalfa, timothy and 

 clover hay, cowpea hay, corn, oats, bran, oil meal, and cotton-seed meal. The 

 costs i)er head per day on the different rations are shown in the following 

 table : 



Co.tt of gains in lanihs on rations containing different .succulents. 



Kind of succulent food. 



Dressed 

 weight. 



Mangels 



Sugar beets and uianKt'l 



Silage 



None 



None 



Turnips 



Sugar beets 



Cabbage 



None 



Silage 



Sugar beets 



Mangels 



Per cent. 

 55.2 

 54.0 

 .55.0 

 51.9 



The dry-fed lambs made slow gains at fii'st, but later gains were much more 

 ra]iid. The dry feed produced more economical gains than roots of any kind 



