43 



some idea of when the heavy losses usually occur, and 

 regulate the amount of supplementary feels accordingly. 



TABLE 3. Gains of Steers ~by Months 1907-'08 (84 days}. 



1908-'09 (98 



During each year's work those steers which received feed 

 in addition to the range were started on a very small daily 

 allowance. This amount was increased every few days for 

 28 days, when it was held uniform for the remainder of 

 the winter. During the first winter's work the range cattle 

 (Lot 1) practically held their initial weight during the first 

 28 days. As time went on and the range became shorter 

 they lost more and more in weight. This is what should be 

 expected. But the heaviest losses in 1908-'09 were exper- 

 ienced at the early part of the winter. However this 

 winter was an unusual one. Tt was very rainy and 

 muddy during the early months, so that the cattle were very 

 uncomfortable and could not graze well. During the last 

 of the winter very little rain fell, spring set in early 



