8 N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION. [Bulletin 203 



noted above. The work has been under the local direction of E. G. Ritz- 

 man (Animal Husbandiy). Chemical analyses were made b^- H. R. Kray- 

 bill (Agricultural Chemistry). 



The first two years' work consisted in the study of basal metaljolism in 

 steers. During the past year an exhaustive study has been made of the 

 basal metabolism in sheep, from the first stage of pregnancy to maturity. 

 The animals were studied in groups numbering from 8 to 16 head, and rep- 

 resented the equivalent of about 1500 individuals run through the chamber. 

 A variety of interesting and valuable results have so far been obtained. 

 Messrs. Benedict and Ritzman have found it more and more evident in 

 the course of their investigations that the whole framework of our know- 

 ledge in this line still rests on a rather indefinite basis. The influence 

 of varying amounts of crude fiber and concentrates and their retention in 

 the digestive tract have materiall}' complicated the problem of obtaining 

 the true energy metabolism under post-absorptive conditions. In fact, 

 a lar^e amount of data representing digestibility of feeds Is based on as- 

 sumed values on this account and their reliability must remain in question 

 until established by true basal investigations. 



In the coming j-ear's work an attempt is to be made to derive more know- 

 ledge along these lines, together with such correlated factors in energy ex- 

 change as surface area and skin radiation, the effect of varying amounts of 

 crude fiber on fill and consequently on total live weight in relation to live 

 empty weight, etc. 



Two grade Shorthorn steers of good type have been purchased for this 

 purpose and the equipment has been moved into new quarters especially 

 prepared for this purpose. A chemist has been added to the staff to facili- 

 tate determinations on feed and excreta. 



The results of the first two years' work are now being prepared for publi- 

 cation as a monograph of the Nutrition Laboratory of the Carnegie In- 

 stitution of Washington, and as soon as this is in print the more practical 

 phases will be discussed in the bulletin series of this Station. 



How Much Feed is Necessary,' The question of how large a meal is essen- 

 tial to the health of an animal has an especially important bearing on local 

 problems in New Hampshire, since most of the concentrated stock feed 

 used is grown in the West. The high price of this feed has brought about 

 a noticeable decrease in its use and a greater dependence on home-growTi 

 hay, often with a lowered standard of wintering live stock. Mr. Ritzman 

 has studied the effect on health and weight resulting from this practice, es- 

 pecially where it involved the feeding of maintenance and sub-maintenance 

 rations composed solely of native hay. He has also carried the investi- 

 gation into the consequent refeeding with grain and pasturing of animals 

 that have been thus roughed through the winter. The studies of growth 

 and gain show that, even with hay at present prices, it is decidedly uneconom- 

 ical to feed less than a maintenance ration — a practice which is not uncom- 

 mon in the New England states. 



Feeding Value of Native Hay Determined. The feeding tables by which 

 the value of rations is computed do not take into account the variations due 

 to differences in soil, climate, nor the material changes in the composition 



