4 BULLETIN 144 



Plan of Investigation 



During the winter period the ewes were divided into four lots : 

 Shropshires in Lots I and II, and Delaine-Merinos in Lots III and 

 IV. The ewes during the summer were alternated on two pastures 

 every two weeks. They flocked together, without any grain, except 

 for a few weeks prior to and during the breeding season. The two 

 breeds were separated during the mating season. The same grain 

 mixture was fed at all times during the experiment. 



Rations 



Part I (Winter Period) 3 

 December 1, 1911-April 25, 1913 



Lot I 10 Shropshires. Corn silage, twice daily, according to appetite 



Cottonseed meal (1 Ib. to each 25 Ibs. of silage) 

 Grain mixture Parts 



Shelled corn 5 



Oats 3 



Wheat bran 2 



Linseed oil meal 1 



To maintain good condition 



Lot II 10 Shropshires. Corn silage in evening 



Alfalfa hay in morning, according to appetite 

 Grain mixture same as for Lot I 



Lot III 10 Delaine-Merinos. Same as for Shropshire Lot I 

 Lot IV 10 Delaine-Merinos. Same as for Shropshire Lot II 



For Lots I and III one pound of cottonseed meal was added to 

 each 25 pounds of corn silage. 



Part II (Winter Period) 4 

 December 5, 1913-May 9, 1916 



Lot I Shropshires. Alfalfa hay sole roughage 



Grain mixture same as for Part I 



Lot II Shropshires. Same ration as fed in Part I 



Grain mixture same as for Part I 



Lot III Delaine-Merinos. Alfalfa hay sole roughage 



Grain mixture same as for Part I 



Lot IV Delaine-Merinos. Same ration as fed in Part I 



Grain mixture same as for Part I 



The grain mixture was fed in the same amounts to all sheep 

 used in Part II. In the winter of 1914-15, however, it was not fed 

 previous to lambing and only to ewes that yeaned. In 1913-14 

 corn silage was limited to 2 pounds per ewe daily for Lots II and 

 IV, and alfalfa hay was fed according to appetite. In 1914-15 corn 

 silage and alfalfa hay were fed according to appetite. In 1915-16 



3 Prof. W. A. Cochel made the plan for Part I; Messrs. William Cleaver and 

 K. C. Ikeler assisted with records. 



4 Messrs. K. J. Suelke, K. W. Duck and G. H. Grabe assisted with records. 



