Fattening Sheep 243 



there were two lots getting grain, with the third lot 

 having nothing but pasturage, and those that were 

 getting grain were fed such a ration as was thought 

 would contribute to their growth. As soon as the 

 snow prevented further feeding on pasture, the 

 lambs were put in pens and fed exactly the same 

 kind of ration, although the amount eaten by each 

 was separately determined. Through this period, 

 all the lambs were fed so as to make the quickest 

 and the most economical gains. They were managed 

 exactly alike and fed similar foods. In a general 

 way the lambs were divided so as to be as near the 

 same age as possible. At the time the experiment 

 started in the spring, the lambs would be about one 

 month old in all trials. The first period before 

 weaning extended over twelve or thirteen weeks, and 

 the lambs were usually weaned in July or the fore 

 part of August, making the first period twelve or 

 fourteen weeks. During the second period, that 

 usually extended from the fore part of August until 

 the first of December, the lambs were fed for about 

 twelve or fourteen weeks. The third period ended 

 when the lambs were marketed, usually in Febru- 

 ary. The test thus planned was carried out in five 

 seasons, 1891 to 1895, inclusive. The tables show 

 that these lambs were heavier than the markets in 

 subsequent years cared for in Iambs, but the econ- 

 omy of utilizing the capacity of a young animal to 

 use feed economically is clearly demonstrated. 



