Early Lamb-Raising 233 



the ewes should have a daily run in the field. They 

 should also have grain. When the grass is of new 

 growth, corn is a satisfactory grain ; but if the grass is 

 mature, from early summer growth, the grain should 

 be in part oats, bran, or some feed rich in protein. 

 When the pastures fail or the weather becomes un- 

 favorable for grazing, silage is the most satisfactory 

 substitute for grass. However, as it has a much 

 wider nutritive ratio, it must be supplemented by 

 highly nitrogenous concentrates. The cost of a 

 unit of protein may determine the choice of form in 

 which this is to be purchased. As a rule, the higher 

 the per cent of protein in the feed, the lower its cost. 

 Oats and bran, at the usual market prices, are ex- 

 pensive sources of protein. Cotton seed meal has an 

 advantage over linseed as a supplement to silage in 

 that it counteracts the laxative effect of the silage, 

 and when it can be bought at the same price, or less, 

 per ton as bran, it is to be preferred, especially to 

 feed in connection with silage. 



Silage may be advantageously fed to the extent 

 of four pounds per head daily at two feeds. The 

 need of a protein supplement to the silage can be 

 somewhat reduced by mixing soy beans or cowpeas 

 with corn in the silo. 



In latitudes where beets thrive well, they may 

 be substituted for silage, also the beet pulp from the 

 sugar factory. And it should be said that ewes can 

 be successfully fed without any of these succulent 



