that the fall market for feeding cattle was raised to the highest point 

 for many years. This was followed in the spring by a dull market 

 for fat stock and resulted in a most disastrous year for feeders. 



OBJECT 



The experiments reported in this bulletin are a continuation of 

 series reported in bulletins Nos. 129, 130, and 136. The object of 

 the trials reported in this bulletin was to -obtain additional informa- 

 tion on the value of corn silage as a roughage for fattening steers, 

 and data on the best methods of utilizing the roughage produced on 

 the farm. The work, however, was not confined entirely to a direct 

 comparison of roughages but also involved the study of the influence 

 of the addition of supplementary feeds, such as cottonseed meal, to 

 the ration, and to a comparison of the relative profits from long 

 and short feeding periods. 



SHELTER, FEED LOTS, AND WATER SUPPLY 



The conditions surrounding the cattle were no better than 

 those of the average feed lot. Each lot of 10 steers was fed in a 

 yard 40x50 feet, with an open shed 12x40 feet facing east, on 

 the west side of each yard. The yards were covered with cinders 

 and gravel. This did not prove entirely satisfactory because it did 

 not prevent the lots from getting very muddy and sloppy. This 

 condition resulted in some trouble from cinders getting into the 

 cleft of the steers' hoofs and causing lameness. The sheds were 

 kept well bedded so that the cattle had a comfortable place to lie 

 down. However, no bedding was used in the lots. 



The water was supplied from the West Lafayette Water 

 Works in galvanized iron tanks set in the open lot and surrounded by 

 five or six inches of manure, held in place by a wooden jacket. The 

 water was further protected by tank covers which were closed dur- 

 ing the night in cold weather. No attempt was made to heat the 

 water and considerable trouble was experienced with ice in the 

 troughs, in extremely cold weather. 



WEIGHTS 



The average of individual weights taken on three consecutive 

 days at the beginning and close of the experiments were used as 

 initial and final weights. The identity of each steer was known by 

 means of a numbered tag on a strap fastened around the neck of 

 each steer. Individual weights were taken at the end of every 30 

 day period, and lot weights at the end of every 10 day period, in 

 order to obtain proportions of feeds desired in the rations and facil- 

 itate keeping records of feed consumed and gains made. Weights 

 were taken in the morning beginning at 9 o'clock, 1909-10, and 8 

 o'clock in 1910-11. No attempt was made to withhold the water 



