28 3 



period. The results presented here should be considered as a re- 

 port of progress as the amount of data has not extended over 

 a sufficient length of time to justify definite conclusions. 



While several stations have fed cattle, both for a long and for 

 a short period, it has not been done with a view of determining 

 the relative merits of the two systems of feeding. 



SHELTER, FEED LOTS AND WATER SUPPLY. 



The shelter used in these experiments consisted of an open 

 shed 12x40 feet on the west side of a lot 40x50 feet. The shed 

 was kept bedded at all times. The lots were built up with cinders 

 and gravel but at times became very muddy. Fresh, clean water was 

 supplied from the city supply, in galvanized tanks, set in the open 

 lot and protected by packing horse manure in a box built around 

 them. 



DESCRIPTION OF CATTLE. 



Two lots of cattle were started on feed at the same time 

 each year. The "long fed" steers used, averaged, at the beginning 

 of the first test, 1010 pounds and would have graded as good, 

 fleshy feeders; the ''short fed" steers averaged 1175 pounds and 

 were carrying too much flesh to be classified as feeders, buit 

 would have been sold as killers, if placed on the market at the time 

 they went into the experiment. The cattle in both lots were 

 purchased in Ripley, Jennings and Lawrence counties and were 

 native steers, showing a predominance of Shorthorn and Hereford 

 blood. They were plain, with a tendency to legginess and to 

 roughness. They were practically equal in quality in each lot, 

 the only difference being in the higher condition and additional 

 weight of the "short fed" cattle. The steers used in the second 

 test were similar in type and breeding to those used the first 

 year but averaged 113 pounds per head heavier in the "long fed" 

 lot and 100 pounds in the "short fed" lot. Each year the steers 

 had been grazed without grain during the previous summer, and 

 were strictly "grass cattle." The first year the cattle were placed 

 in the feed lots immediately after shipment, where they were 

 given a preliminary feed of shelled corn and clover hay for 10 

 days preceding the test. The cattle used in the second test were 

 delivered early in September and. allowed to run on pasture until 

 the experiment started. They were in better condition to start 

 the experiment as they had entirely recovered from shipment 

 before being placed in the feed lot. The first test began Novem- 

 ber 21, 1906, and closed for the "short fed" lot February 19, 1907; 



