574 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



During the first period " lot 1 consumed au average of 0.48 lb. of digestible 

 protein daily, lot 2, 0.60 lb., and lot 3, 0.80 lb. Lot 1 made an average gain 

 per animal in 88 days of 69.4 lbs., lot 2 72.4 lbs., and lot 3 98.4 lbs. . . . There 

 was not much difference in the average energy content of the rations of the 

 three lots. . . . When calculated per 1,000 lbs. live weight . . . the rations of 

 lots 2 and 3 each contained practically 15.7 therms of energy value, and that of 

 lot 1, 14.40 therms of energy value." 



During the second period the average ration of lot 1 contained per 1,000 lbs. 

 live weight [only] 0.10 therms more energy value than the average ration of 

 lot 2. In respect to digestible protein, on the other hand, the average ration 

 of lot 2 contained per 1,000 lbs. weight 0.77 lb. more than the average ration of 

 lot 1. . . . " The average gain per animal of lot 3 was 111.4 lbs., while the gains 

 of lots 2 and 1 were 96.4 lbs. and 68.9 lbs., respectively. 



While during both periods the average gain of lot 1 was smaller than that of 

 lots 2 and 3, and the gain of lot 2 smaller than that of lot 3, this could have 

 been due in a large measure at least to individuality. There was but 1 animal 

 in lot 2 and 5 in lot 3 during the first period which made greater gains than 

 any in lot 1. Likewise, there were but 2 animals in lot 3 during the first 

 period that made greater gains than in lot 2. 



" During each period the average rations of lot 3 conformed more nearly to 

 the feeding standards in respect to digestible protein than either of the other 

 lots. This lot also made the greatest gains. However, since the digestible 

 carbohydrates and fats were lower than prescribed by the feeding standards 

 not only in case of lot 3, but in case of the other two lots as well, it would be 

 erroneous to conclude from the data presented that the Wolff-Lehmaun feed- 

 ing standards do not prescribe too great an amount of protein, because had more 

 carbohydrates been consumed it is probable that as great gains would have been 

 made on less digestible protein. Also judging by the variations in gains by 

 individuals of the different lots it would be necessary, before true comparisons 

 could be made, to feed a large number of animals in order to eliminate the 

 factor of individuality. These results bring out the fact that no single feeding 

 standard can be devised which will prescribe an amount of digestible food 

 nutrients to meet the exact requirements of all animals." 



" A determination of nitrogen balance with two animals of each lot indicated 

 that those of lot 3 did not retain any more protein than those from the other 

 lots." 



Methods of steer feeding, T. I. Mairs and S. W. Doty (Pennsylvania Sta. 

 Rpt. 1909, jip. J.'iU-15S, cliart 1). — This test was designed to compare a limited 

 with a full grain ration by substituting silage for a portion of the ear corn, and 

 is a continuation of a test previously noted (E. S. R., 20, p. 866). 



From November 4 to February 24 the ration for 2 lots of 12 steers each 

 consisted of broken ear corn, cotton-seed meal, silage, and hay or corn stover. 

 The steers in lot 1 received a daily ration of 2 lbs. of cotton-seed meal, 7.5 lbs. 

 of silage, and all the ear corn they would eat with relish, and made an average 

 daily gain of 1.65 lbs. per head at a cost of 16.4 cts. per pound. Lot 2 received 

 2A lbs. of cotton-seed meal, 15 lbs. of silage, and two-thirds as much ear corn by 

 weight as lot 1, and made an average daily gain of 1.83 lbs. per head at a 

 cost of 11.8 cts. per pound. 



During the first part of the test lot 1 made better gains than lot 2, which 

 apparently indicates that more care is required in starting steers on a heavy 

 silage ration. Lot 1 consumed 10.5 lbs., and lot 2. 13.6 lbs. of dry matter per 

 pound of gain. The feeds were rated as fallows: Hay $10, corn stover $5, 

 silage $3, cotton-seed meal $29 per ton, and corn 65 cts, per bushel. 



