14 



N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. [Bulletin 152 



TABLE 11. COMPARISON AS TO COST OF RATIONS. 



The feed used in the experiment was all purchased, and the 

 prevailing market prices charged in calculating the cost of 

 rations. This by no means gives unfair comparisons in regard 

 to conditions on the average farm, since the farmers of New 

 Hampshire have to buy the bulk of their grain and can readily 

 sell their hay at the regnant market price. Bran cost $27 a 

 ton, corn $28 a ton, oats an average of 54 cents a bushel. The 

 clover hay was delivered from Ohio at $18 per ton, but the 

 native hay, even with close buying, cost $20 a ton and the turnips 

 $5 per ton. Consequently, in all results where cost is concerned, 

 the clover hay has had an added advantage over the native hay, 

 since the initial purchasing expense was not so great. However, 

 this is but slight, and in no way disturbs or unduly influences 

 the real results. 



CONCLUSION. 



The foregoing results should afford ample proof of the superior- 

 ity of clover hay over the native hay as a feed for sheep. It 

 is more palatable, as shown by the fact, as already stated, that 

 the sheep would not eat the native hay so readily. The clover 

 hay contains greater amounts of digestible nutrients, especially 

 protein, and produced larger and more economical gains. In 

 fine, the best plan for a farmer to pursue without clover and 

 with sheep to winter, is to sell his timothy and native hay and 

 purchase for his sheep clover or better yet, if he can obtain it 

 at a reasonable price, alfalfa, as alfalfa has a still higher feeding 

 value than clover. He should not, however, overlook the rela- 

 tively small difference in price that really exists between hay and 

 grain, when comparative feeding values are taken into con- 

 sideration, and, therefore, should feed some grain in conjunction 

 with the hay. Again, roots are necessary to give a laxative 

 tone to the ration. The amounts will vary with different con- 

 ditions; the feeder must determine these for himself. He should 

 make it a point to feed so as to keep well within the pale of profit 

 and at the same time produce as large gains as possible. 



