38 



N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[Bulletin 151 



Three lambs were selected at birth and accurate measurements, according 

 to the system hitherto described, were taken weekly. This work is still in 

 operation. Upon completion early this winter results will be published. 



2. Sheep Feeding. 



a. Clover hay versus New Hampshire native hay. 



b. Value of turnips in the ration. 



These experiments were carried on under the Hatch Fund. The feeding 

 experiments pursued by this department during 1909-10 comprehend a series 

 of actual feeding tests to discover the relative feeding values for sheep of clover 

 hay and the ordinary hay mixture, designated native hay, that is, grown in 

 New Hampshire, and coincidently to determine which renders the greatest 

 economy in mutton production; also to discover the feeding value of turnips 

 in conjunction with a ration of grain and hay. 



In the clover and native hay feeding tests four lots of sheep were used, five 

 in each lot. Two lots comprised lambs, the others being aged ewes. Both 

 lots of lambs were fed an equal quantity of grain of a similar character and 

 of roots. In addition one lot was given clover hay; the other an equal quantity 

 of native hay. With the aged ewes the same plan was followed except that 

 the hay composed the bulk of the ration, turnips only being fed besides. The 

 value of turnips was tested by feeding grain and clover hay to one lot of sheep, 

 while to the ration of another lot, made up of similar kinds of grain and hay, 

 turnips were added. The grain and hay, however, given to the latter was 

 reduced in quantity so as to make the two rations correspond as nearly as 

 possible in total amount of dry matter and digestible protein, carbohydrates 

 and fat. 



These experiments were completed most satisfactorily in early summer. 

 A bulletin will be issued directly, setting forth complete results. Conse- 

 quently, it is not necessary to dwell in detail upon them in this report. Suffice 

 it to say that it was clearly demonstrated by the results obtained that clover 

 hay as a feed for sheep greatly excelled the native hay, producing greater 

 gains in weight at considerably less cost. It was also proven that turnips 

 in a ration were a boon, having a visible effect in decreasing the cost of mutton 

 production. 



The following table is self-explanatory and reveals in concise form the 

 salient results of the experiment: 



AVERAGE WEIGHT AND COST OF FEED FOR 100 POUNDS INCREASE IN WEIGHT. 



Experiment 



Dry Ration. 



v. 

 Turnips 



CJovcr hay.. 



r. 

 Native hay. 



Clover hay . 



r. 

 Native hay. 



Turnips Native Hay 

 lbs. lbs. 



1,322 



569 



873 



2,173 



6,152 



655 



3,076 



Clover Hay 

 lbs. 



688 

 330 

 427 



1,086 



Total 



$11.96 



9.60 



7.66 



12.40 



16.24 



42.87 



