276 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Michigan and the best methods of improving- this industry are treated 

 of, the discussion being based in part on replies received to questions 

 addressed to a number of wool dealers in different parts of the United 

 States. Some of the principal deductions follow: 



"Mutton growing with wool as an incidental product will continue to be a profitable 

 industry. . . . Breed and feed affect the value of wool from the manufacturer's stand- 

 point. Indiscriminate crossing is unprofitable. A sheep poorly nourished can not 

 produce a healthy fleece. The manufacturer buys wool on the basis of its true value 

 for manufacturing purposes. The grower, the local dealer, the commission man, and 

 the scourer should each make an honest effort to satisfy his reasonaljle demands. . . . 



"A small linen, or flax, or hemp twine is best for tying wool. . . . Coarse heavy 

 paint marks should be avoided in marking sheep. More and better wool can be 

 secured by early shearing. Loose, bulky fleeces sell best in the market. Country 

 wool buyers can greatly aid in an effort to bring Michigan wools up to the standard 

 by buying wool on its merits. By offering an advance in price for wools properly 

 grown and prepared for tiie market, and by discriminating against poorly grown, 

 dirty, or poorly tied fleeces. . . . Avoid lime and sulphur as a sheep dip." 



Sheep in the coastal district, G. Valdar {A(/r. Gaz. New South 

 Wales, 11 {1900), No. 1, pp. 38-U, pis. 3).— On the basis of trials at 

 the College Farm and the testimony of a number of sheep raisers, dif- 

 ferent breeds suitable for the coastal region of Mew South Wales are 

 suggested. The value of different cereal crops, grasses, leguminous 

 crops, rape, and other crucifers for sheep feeding is discussed and a 

 feeding experiment at the Hawkesbury Agricultural College briefly 

 reported. Thirty Eomney sheep and 8 Shropshire lambs were hurdled 

 on i acre of paspalum grass. After this was eaten, they were moved 

 to a half -acre plat of white mustard and from this to an acre of rape. 

 The test began June 22 and closed August 1. During this time the 

 Romney lambs had gained 20i lbs. each and the Shropshires 30 lbs. 

 Estimating the gain to be worth 3 cts. per pound, according to the 

 author there would be a profit of $25.72 from the If acres on which the 

 sheep were pastured. It should also be rcMuembered that the drop- 

 pings of the sheep were valuable maiuire and that there was no expense 

 in harvesting the crop, and that probably a second and even a third 

 crop could ])c ol)taine(l from the rape and mustard, while the paspalum 

 is a perennial grass. 



Animal food for poultry, W. P. Wheeler {Neio York State Bvl. 

 171, pjj. J4JUI-50G, 2'f' ^)- — i" continuation of previous work (E. S. R., 

 11, p. 276), 2 scries of tests are reported with chickens, hens, and 

 ducks on the comparative value of vegetable and animal food, the lat- 

 ter ration being supplemented in the second test by bone ash. In the 

 first series 5 lots of from 23 to 51 chickens 1 week old at the begin- 

 ning of the test were fed the ration containing the animal food, which 

 was made up of corn meal, animal meal, ground grain, gluten meal, 

 etc. Five similar lots were fed the vegetable ration, consisting of 

 wheat, barley, oats, and a mixture of several grains and concentrated 



