(1 

 i 



WEIGHTS 



Weights were taken by lots on three consecutive days at the 

 inning and end of the trial and every tenth day during the prog-. 

 s of the same. The average of the three consecutive weights at 

 e beginning and end of the trial was used as the initial and final 

 eights. Individual weights in addition to lot weights were taken 

 three consecutive days at the beginning and end of the trial, and 

 ery thirtieth day throughout the progress of the same. The iden- 

 tity of each lamb was known by a numbered tag fastened to the 

 ear. Weights were taken in the morning after the lambs had fin- 

 ished eating. 



METHOD OF FEEDING 



The method of feeding was the same in all lots reported in this 

 lletin. The grain was fed at 6:00 A. M. and 4:30 P. M. under 

 cover, in narrow grain troughs. When ground soybeans or cot- 

 tonseed meal was fed in addition to corn, it was mixed with the corn 

 before being scattered in the troughs. Grain was fed in such 

 quantities as would be eaten before the lambs left the troughs. The 

 molasses was poured over the silage. When starting on feed, about 

 one-fourth of a pound of oats per head was fed twice daily. After 

 the lambs had learned to eat oats, small amounts of corn were added 

 to the rations. Within a few days the lambs were eating corn 

 readily and the oats were gradually dropped from the ration, and in 

 Lots I, 5, and 7, cottonseed meal, and in Lot 8 ground soybeans 

 were added. Within sixteen days all lots were on the experimental 

 rations. The grain was increased until they were on full feed at 

 the end of four weeks. After the lambs had cleaned up the grain, 

 roughage was fed in combination racks and troughs. All rough- 

 age was fed twice daily. Hay and straw were fed in such quanti- 

 ties as would be cleaned up before the time for the next feed. 

 Silage was fed in such quantities as would be consumed within an 

 hour to an hour and a half. Feed not consumed was removed from 

 the troughs and weighed. When feed was not all consumed the 

 quantity offered at the next feed was reduced. 



DESCRIPTION OF LAMBS 



The animals used in this trial were choice improved Mexicans 

 purchased on the Denver, Colorado, market, October u, 1915. They 

 were from Mexican foundation improved by mutton rams. 

 They were of excellent quality, and remarkably uniform in size, 

 type, quality, and condition. Although lighter in bone than northern 

 range lambs, they were very strong and thrifty. They were dipped 

 under government supervision at Kansas City, Missouri, and ar- 

 rived in LaFayette, October 17, 1915. They were kept in the feed- 

 ing yards and fed alfalfa hay until October 26, 1915, when they were 

 divided into experimental groups. Two hundred fifty lambs were 

 purchased. Twenty-five were discarded when the experimental 

 groups were made. Considering the original cost of the lambs, 



