SHELTER, FEED LOTS, AND WATER SUPPLY 



Each lot of cattle occupied similar quarters which consisted of 

 an open, concreted lot 20 by 28 feet joined on the west by an open 

 shed 16 by 28 feet. The concrete floors which were cleaned every 

 two or three weeks, kept the yards in comfortable condition during 

 the entire season. The sheds were kept well bedded. 



Both grain and roughage were fed under cover. Grain and 

 silage were fed in troughs thirty inches wide arranged along the 

 feed alley. Hay was fed in the racks under the shed on either 

 side of the lots. Water was supplied in galvanized iron tanks ad- 

 jacent to the open lots and surrounded by five or- six inches of 

 manure held in place by wooden jackets. A fresh supply of water 

 was kept before the cattle at all times. 



WEIGHTS 



Each steer was weighed individually for three consecutive days 

 at the beginning and end of the trial and every thirty days during 

 the progress of the same. The averages of the three weights at the 

 beginning and end of the trial were taken as the initial and final 

 weights, respectively. The identity of each steer was known by 

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

 weights were taken every ten days in order to facilitate keeping 

 records of feed consumed and gains made. Weights were taken at 

 9 :oo A. M. without change in the ration or water of the cattle. Each 

 lot of hogs was weighed every ten days. 



METHOD OF FEEDING 



The method of feeding was practically the same in all lots 

 reported in this bulletin. Grain was fed at 6:00 A. M. arid 4:30 

 P. M. in troughs, under cover. The corn was placed in the trough 

 and cottonseed meal, or mixed molasses feed poured upon and 

 mixed with it. After the cattle had cleaned up the grain, which 

 usually required from a half to three quarters of an hour, roughage 

 was fed. The lots receiving silage were fed this roughage both 

 morning and evening. In Lot 5, molasses (cane) was poured upon 

 the silage at each feed. Lots 2 and 3 received hay twice daily ; the 

 other lots received dry roughage at the morning feed. It was the 

 intention to have all silage cleaned up within two hours after it was 

 offered and all dry roughage before time for the next feed.- Salt 

 was kept before the cattle at all times. 



