132 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



The varieties of grain found suitable for the non-irrigated 

 land are quite as satisfactory when raised under irrigation. In 

 this connection, it might be of interest to note that the two- 

 row barleys outyield the six-row varieties, making it prob- 

 able that the raising of barley for malting purposes would be a 

 safe venture. Potatoes usually give exceptionally heavy yields 

 on irrigated land. 



With reference to rotations, it might be stated that almost 

 any arrangement of the crops will give good results if about 

 sixty per cent, of the land is kept seeded down with alfalfa. 



Live Stock. 



The Station began its first experiment with live stock during 

 the fall of 1911, with a lamb feeding test. Up to this time, no 

 stock of any kind beyond what was necessary to operate the 

 Farm had been kept. This experiment was inaugurated mainly 

 for the purpose of determining a profitable means of marketing 

 a portion of the alfalfa crop, the acreage of which is increasing so 

 rapidly on the irrigated farms in Southern Alberta. In addition 

 to comparing the relative values of mixed grains and elevator 

 screenings in producing gains, the benefit derived from roots 

 when fed in conjunction with alfalfa alone and also with grain 

 and alfalfa was tested. 



Sheep in Southern Alberta up to the present time are raised 

 in large bands on the open range, receiving no hay except during 

 bad storms, having to depend entirely on grazing. The result 

 of such conditions is that there are heavy offerings of range 

 animals in the fall and a shortage of sheep fit for mutton during 

 the latter part of the winter and spring. A more uniform and 

 higher-priced market would be maintained throughout the year 

 if some were held over on feed. 



Following is an outhne of the experiment with lambs, carried 

 on at the Station in 1911. Two hundred and fifty wether range 

 lambs were purchased and delivered to the Station at the time 

 of weaning. After being allowed to run on the stubble for a 

 period of three weeks, they were divided into five groups of fifty 

 each. The make-up of these groups was as nearly uniform as 

 regards type and weight as it was possible to have them. A 

 sixteen- week feeding period was decided on. 



The plan of feeding was as follows : — 



Alfalfa constituted the sole roughage, the five groups being 

 fed for the first two weeks on it alone. Then group one had 

 mixed grain added to its ration, group two, elevator screenings, 

 group three, roots and mixed grains, group four, roots alone, 

 whilst group five received mixed grains for hardening off for a 

 period of two weeks before going to market. Group five were 



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