MAINTENANCE RATION FOR SHEEP 249 



experiments. The amounts digested per 1000 kg. 

 naked body weight were : — 



With meadow hay 1*04 kg. protein and 10*94 kg. 



carbohydrates. 

 With meadow hay and maize o*8i kg. protein and 



9*30 kg. carbohydrates. 



That is, less nutrients when hay and maize were 

 given than when hay alone. In spite of this, the 

 production on the hay ration was considerably less 

 (325 g. body fat) than when maize was also given 

 (785 g. body fat). This is again a good proof of the 

 differences in the feeding value of the digested 

 materials and of the correctness of reckoning ac- 

 cording to starch values. In both cases for main- 

 tenance alone there was required practically the 

 same starch value — 778 kg. or 7-96 kg. — as com- 

 pared with 5 -2 kg. for the ox. 



From the results of all the investigations which 

 have been recorded up to the present it may be said 

 that maintenance of life and the production of 

 wool are assured if sheep of the larger breeds are 

 given per 1000 lbs. body weight a daily ration con- 

 taining 1 lb. digestible protein together with 8-3 lbs. 

 starch equivalent, but the smaller breeds must have 

 slightly more, viz. 1-2 lbs. protein, and 9-0 lbs. 

 starch equivalent. 



There is further the question of the influence of 

 food on the growth of the wool. It is known that 

 in human beings who have to subsist for a con- 



