ANIMAL PEODUCTION. 871 



In the first of these experiments, 139 head of Lincoln-Merino, averaging 68 

 lbs. each, and 161 Shropshire-Merino wethers, averaging 65.7 lbs., vrere fed for 

 a period of 84 days on a ration of alfalfa hay and a grain mixture of barley, 

 wheat, and corn 2:1:1. The first lot made an average total gain of 26.4 lbs. 

 per head, the second lot 27.4 lbs. The lambs were sold at a slight loss, largely 

 because of unusual transportation charges. The shrinkage in reaching the 

 market ranged from 4.2 per cent to 7.3 per cent. 



In the second experiment 251 lambs averaging 73.2 lbs. in weight were fed 

 for 122 days on a ration of alfalfa and a grain mixture of barley and oats 3:1; 

 another lot of 254 lambs was similarly fed except that wheat was substituted 

 for barley. The former lot made an average total gain of 31.4 lbs. per head 

 and produced a net profit of 90 cts. per head ; the latter made 34.2 lbs. gain and 

 a net profit of 85 cts. per head. The shrinkage in marketing ranged from 9.6 

 per cent to 11.2 per cent. 



General conclusions indicate an increased value of alfalfa when marketed 

 through fattening lambs, and the value of home-grown small grains as feed for 

 lambs. The Shropshire cross proved to be slightly superior to the Lincoln cross 

 for fattening purposes. 



Feeding experiments with lambs, 190&-1911, G. E. Morton {Colorado 8ta. 

 Bui. 187, pp. 16, figs. S). — These experiments with range-bred lambs continued 

 earlier work (E. S. R., 23, p. 277). 



In the first series, 3 lots of 40 lambs each were fed alfalfa hay (whole) and 

 Scotch barley; alfalfa hay (whole) and corn; and alfalfa hay (cut) and corn. 

 During the seventh week the experiment was invalidated due to loss caused by 

 dogs, lots 1 and 2 suffering approximately 9 lbs. loss per head. In spite of 

 this condition, lot 3, fed chopped hay, made but 0.12 lb. per head greater gain 

 during the 14 weeks' feeding period than did lot 2, fed whole hay. 



In the second series of experiments, 4 lots of 125 head each were fed 14 

 weeks, with the following results: Lot 1, fed Scotch barley and alfalfa hay 

 (whole) in self feeders, made 29.32 lbs. gain per head, costing 5.22 cts. per 

 pound of gain. Lot 2, fed corn and alfalfa hay (cut) in self feeders, made 

 30.12 lbs. gain, at a cost of 5.71 cts.; lot 3, fed corn and alfalfa hay (whole) in 

 self feeders, 30.8 lbs. gain, at a cost of 5.19 cts. ; and lot 4, fed corn and alfalfa 

 hay (whole) on the ground, 30.96 lbs. gain, at a cost of 5.3 cts. There was a 

 slight advantage in favor of the whole hay. It is estimated that an average 

 saving of 35 cts. per running foot of rack was realized over the ground feeding 

 method. 



Comparing barley and corn, a trifle less hay and more grain were used by 

 the barley-fed lot than by the corn-fed lot. 



In the third series of experiments, 3 lots of 100 head each, fed for 14 weeks, 

 gave the following results: The first lot, fed alfalfa hay and California feed 

 barley, made an average gain per head of 30.14 lbs., at a cost of 5.45 cts. per 

 pound of gain; the second lot, fed alfalfa hay and Scotch barley, 33.52 lbs. 

 gain, at a cost of 5.01 cts. ; and the third lot, fed alfalfa hay (whole) and corn, 

 31.86 lbs. gain, at a cost of 5.02 cts. 



It is noted that less grain and hay were required for the Scotch barley-fed 

 lot than for that receiving California feed barley. 



In another experiment, 2 lots of 100 lambs each were fed for 10 weeks, with 

 the following results: Lot 1, fed alfalfa meal and corn, gained 28.54 lbs. per 

 head, at a cost of 5.03 cts. per pound of gain ; lot 2, fed cut alfalfa hay and 

 corn, 23.93 lbs. gain, at a cost of 5.24 cts. (Cut hay was valued at $6, alfalfa 

 meal at $10 per ton.) Less hay and corn were required by the meal-fed lot. 



23666°— No. 9—14 6 



