448 FEEDING ANIMALS. 



These were weighed as against a like number fed eight 

 weeks in a turnip field : 



Those in field gained each 13 Ibs. 



Those in yard only gained each 3 " 



Apparent balance against yard feeding 10 " 



He remarks: " These lambs did not appear to like the 

 confinement, and took every opportunity of getting out if 

 they could." The reader will compare this with experi- 

 ments three, five, and seven of the first series, where the 

 shed appeared to increase the gain decidedly. The expla- 

 nation is probably to be found in the strict confinement, 

 which so changed the habits of the lambs as to unfavorably 

 affect their health. 



The American feeder, in looking over these experiments, 

 will note the favorable effect of a little grain with the 

 turnip ration. The turnip is a very watery plant; and 

 although a moderate amount of succulence is very con- 

 ducive to health and animal growth, yet to compel lambs 

 to take their entire food diluted with 87 to 90 per cent, 

 water is not appropriate, except in the warm season ; and 

 even then dry food as a part of the ration is an improve- 

 ment. In experiment No. 5, on 1% Ibs. of mixed grain 

 with 18K Ibs. turnips, the lambs gained as much in 10 

 weeks as those in experiment 3 did in 15 weeks on K Ib. of 

 oil-cake and peas with 2014 Ibs. of turnips ; and in these 

 two experiments the shelter was the same and only propor- 

 tions of the food changed. 



It has always been our strong belief that English feeders 

 are in error in feeding more than 10 Ibs. of turnips to a 

 lamb, and the balance of the ration should be made up of 

 early cut and cured clover-hay, tares, rape, or fine grasses, 

 and grain, or oil-cake, or a mixture. Experiments 8 and 

 9 prove that 12 Ibs of turnips on very young and succulent 

 clover (No. 8), with % Ib. of grain, produced less gain per 

 month (11M Ibs.) than when omitted (No. 9, where the 



