THE PAVED LOT 147 



There seems to be good reason why the mud lot steers 

 made as good and as cheap gains as did those in the 

 paved lots. Those in the mud lot had access at all times 

 to an open shed, the bedding in which was kept dry at 

 all times. This shed was large enough for all the steers 

 in the lot to lie down at the same time. The feed bunk 

 in which the corn was fed was only about 15 feet from 

 the shed and the water tank about 20 feet. The weather 

 was such that the mud lot was not in bad condition any 

 very large part of the time. It was observed, too, that 

 the steers in the mud lot spent much more time in the 

 shed than did the lot of steers having access to the 

 paved lot of the same size. In other words, the mud lot 

 steers were not obliged to wade or stand in the mud to 

 any considerable extent. Steers subjected to a mud 

 lot with no suitable place to lie down must suffer, and 

 when a steer is uncomfortable he is not making gain 

 economically. In the experiment cited where conditions 

 were as favorable for mud lot cattle feeding as could be 

 expected, the falling off in pork produced is no incon- 

 siderable item, amounting to $1.50 per steer, with pork 

 at $6 per cwt. The writer believes that cattle will not 

 drink as much water as they require if obliged to wade 

 through deep mud to get it. The possibility of saving 

 a large part of the manure by the use of the paved lot 

 should be a strong argument in its favor . Paving with 

 brick is not, of course, the only way to keep cattle out 

 of the mud, but it is one way which gives promise of per- 

 manency although expensive at the start. 



HOW TO PAVE THE FEED LOT 

 The grade should be established slightly above the 

 surrounding surface level to prevent any surface water 

 from flowing onto the pavement. The slope given to the 

 pavement will depend upon its location in reference to 

 sheds, other lots, and natural or artificial drainage. 

 The paved lots at the Illinois Experiment Station have 

 a fall of 1 inch to 6 feet away from the open sheds. There 



