270 Maine; agriculturai, e;xperiaii;nt station. 19 12. 



This author further states that in cases of twins of opposite 

 sex the male individual weighed at birth from 5 to 13 kg. more 

 than the female. 



The triplet calves here under discussion grew and developed 

 in an entirely normal fashion. They were seen by the writer 

 in October, 1907, and at that time were not individually much 

 .under sized. In a letter dated February 3, 1908, Ad^r. Walter 

 states that the calves were weighed January 14, 1908, .with the 

 following results : 



Individual Weight 



c? 304 lbs. 



2 278 " 



2 280 " 



The close similarity of the two heifers in weight at this age 

 is noteworthy. Commenting on the condition of the calves at 

 the time of this weighing Mr. Walter says: "Farmers admit 

 they are more [= larger] than the average calf about here. 

 They are not fat but in good condition." 



In a letter of November 17, 1908, Mr. Walter estimates the 

 weight of the three animals to be at that time between 1400 and 

 1500 pounds. The two heifers of the triplets were killed and 

 used for beef early in April, 1910. They weighed about 1000 

 lbs. Mr. Walter stated that the bull was considerably larger 

 than the heifers, but was unable to give the exact weight. 



The only detailed statement I have been able to find in the 

 literature regarding the growth of triplet calves is that of 

 Leathers.^' 



This is as follows (Joe. cif.) : "On September 23, 1883, my 

 three-quarter grade Short-horn cow dropped three male calves 

 from a very fine registered Short-horn bull. When six months 

 old the three weighed 940 lbs; at nine months 1680 lbs, and 

 when yearlings, even 2200 lbs., and had nothing but ordinary 

 tame pasture since May 10, 1884." 



These are rather meager data but it is of some interest to 

 compare them with figures for the normal growth of Short- 

 horn cattle. Such data have been given by Meek.^^ This author 



"Leathers, F. F. [Growth of Triplet Calves.] Breeder's Gazette, 

 Vol. 6, p. 609, 1884, 



^^Meek, A. Growth of the Farm Ungulates. I. Approach from a 

 "Study of the External Characters. Veterinarian, Vol. LXXIV (XLVII - 

 ^Fourth Series) pp. 121-126. 1901. 



