10 WISCONSIN BULLETIN 232 



classes. For the past twelve years sixteen to twenty head of 

 yearling wethers have been fitted and shown each year by the 

 University at the International Live Stock Exposition held in 

 Chicago. During this time every effort was put forth to select 

 the wethers carefully and feed them intelligently so that they 

 would be in prime condition as regards form, finish, and quality 

 of mutton and would be able to compete successfully with other 

 fat sheep exhibited at this show. The competition was both on 

 foot in the show ring and on the block, where the dressed carcass- 

 es were judged. During two three-year periods, 1902 to 1904, 

 and 1907 to 1909, respectively, the wethers fed were divided each 

 year into four lots as uniform as possible with reference to breed, 

 size, and general quality, and the respective lots fed the grain ra- 

 tions shown on page 12. 



In view of the fact that the trials with the various grain rations 

 fed during each of these two periods were triplicated, and records 

 of the feed consumed, the gains made, and the prizes won were 

 carefully kept, it has been decided to give a brief report of the 

 work of fitting show wethers for the two periods for the benefit 

 of all who undertake to show sheep. The results of the trials 

 for the first period have been previously published in the Twentv- 

 second Annual Report of this Station and are here reviewed in 

 order to present a complete record of the work. 



FEEDING UNIVERSITY SHOW WETHERS 



The special feeding and preparation of University wethers for 

 the International Live Stock Exposition, which occurs about the 

 first week of December, has always commenced about the end of 

 July or the first of August. Prior to this time, from about May 

 10, the wethers had been on grass pasture without additional 

 grain, hay, or other feed. The pasture season gave them a rest 

 from the heavy feeding of concentrates and put them in the best 

 condition to make good use of the grain and other feed supplied 

 them when the special preparation for the show commenced. 



In order to study the value of various grain rations, the wethers 

 were divided into four lots each year as heretofore stated and fed 

 their respective grain rations in separate pens. All ran together 

 to receive pasture, hay, cabbage, and roots. They were turned to 

 pasture every day that the weather permitted so as to give them 



