252 Sheep-Farming 



In the first experiment, the lot fed alfalfa hay re- 

 quired 377 pounds corn for 100 pounds gain, while 

 with clover hay 405 pounds were required. Though 

 the weight of corn stover fed lot IV was much greater 

 than that of the hay fed to the first two lots, 571 

 pounds corn were used in making 100 pounds gain. A 

 slight advantage was gained by adding oil meal to the 

 clover hay ration of lot I in the second trial, though the 

 extra cost would ofifset this extra return. The alfalfa, 

 corn, and oil-meal ration of lot VI was but little more 

 effective than the alfalfa and corn fed lot II. The ad- 

 dition of oil-meal to the corn-stover ration effected a 

 reduction of over twenty per cent in the feed required 

 for a pound of gain. A more striking economy was 

 effected when oil meal was added to the oat-straw 

 ration. The coarser roughages are seldom used with 

 economy in fattening sheep. They are useful, but if 

 alfalfa or clover is not used, the grain ration must 

 be supplemented to supply the lack, and keepmg 

 sheep eating regularly is especially difficult when 

 concentrates are the main reliance. The results of 

 the second test give the rations the same relative 

 values, though the differences are less striking. 



Sorghum hay. — Fattening experiments with alfalfa 

 and sorghum hay show about the same difference as 

 between corn stover and alfalfa and a similar gain 

 from use of linseed meal with the ration of corn and 

 sorghum hay. 



Silage. — Although silage was for some time con- 



