Jan. 1922] 



ANNUAL REPORT 



9 



of feeds that have been brought about by seed selection, such as, for ex- 

 ample, an increased protein content in some strains of corn. This problem 

 has a decidedly local application in the question of New Hampshire hay. 

 How does tj^ical native hay compare, in chemical analysis and digestibility, 

 with the hay used in the standard feeding tables'** Any variation here is 

 important, since for nearly sLx months out of twelve native hay is the basis 

 of rations in practically every barn in the state. 



As a part of the nutrition studies it has been possible to make an investi- 

 gation into the feeding quaUties of typical native hay, and the results show 

 a somewhat higher energy value than that generally represented in the old 

 feeding standards and a deficiency of protein. 



Sheep Breeding Experiment. 



Investigations in animal breeding proceed slowly since it is usually neces- 

 sary to produce several generations of offspring in order to draw definite 

 conclusions. The work in sheep breeding has now run over a period of 

 about fourteen j'ears, the last ten of which have been devoted to a study 

 of the nature in which the various characteristics and functions are trans- 

 mitted. Crosses of Southdown with Rambouillet and Hampshii-e with 

 Rambouillet have been made and the offspring carried to three generations 

 with careful observations of traits and measurements of conformations. 

 The experiment is now at the stage where it is possible to make conclusions 

 with regard to the application of Mendel's Law in practical sheep breeding; 

 for the coming year's lamb crop should supply the last information necessary 

 on the inheritance of conformation. 



Mr. Ritzman, who has the work in charge, does not hesitate to state, as 

 a result of the data already in hand, that definite progress toward strains 

 of sheep possessing desirable combinations of wool and mutton can be es- 

 tablished in three generations of breeding. The extent to which the work 

 has already been successful in this respect may be judged by the fact that, 

 on the one hand, top wool prices have been obtained on an open market 

 during the past three years, while, on the other hand, there has been an ex- 

 ceptionallj' quick growth and early maturity of lambs. This latter point 

 has been the main objective from the meat point of view, with good mut- 

 ton conformation of adults a secondary' requisite. The reason for this is 

 that the lamb is a more profitable market product than mutton. The follow- 

 ing lamb weights indicate the measure of success attained: 



(a) Weights after 12 weeks represent growth on pasture with practical 

 elimination of grain and milk in diet. Hence small gains between 

 12th and 16th weeks are due to feed readjustment. 



