BEEF CATTLE IN NORTH CAROLINA. 19 
In the experimental work the steers gained an average of 17 
pounds per head the first winter, 17 pounds the second, and 26 
pounds the third, the average gain being 19 pounds per head for the 
three years. . On the other hand, the dry-fed cattle, wintered in the 
barns, lost an average of 32.5 pounds per head and the silage- 
wintered cattle lost an average of, 46 pounds during the three years. 
These steers required an average of about 2 acres per head for 
grazing in winter, but in summer stock cattle of similar kind require 
about 3 acres per head to make proper gains. 
The cost per steer to carry the cattle through the first winter was 
$4.66, the second winter $6.29, and the third winter $5.23, making 
for the three years an average of $5.39 per head, or approximately 
half what it cost to dry-feed cattle in the barns. Besides, the last- 
named steers lost weight. 
This work shows that dry-wintered cattle must sell for an average 
of $1.55 more per hundredweight in the spring than in the previous 
fall to compensate for the loss in weight and the cost to carry them 
through the winter. Instead of buying dry-wintered cattle in the 
spring, it would be much better for stockmen to purchase the steers 
in the fall if they can furnish winter pasture to carry them through 
to summer grass. This would mean not only cheaper but also better 
finished cattle the following fall. 
As this work was done under average conditions and covered a 
period of three years, giving similar results each year, any farmer or 
stock raiser can expect to get the same results if proper pasture plans 
are made. This work is entirely practical for any stockman having 
rough land for pasture purposes. 
These cattle were fed only during snows or stormy weather. The 
first winter they were fed thus 15 days, the second year 28 days, 
and the third year 14 days, making for the three years an average of 
a little less than three weeks. 
Winter grazing having been found to be the best and most eco- 
nomical method of wintering stock cattle. On the farm where this 
work was done sufficient winter pasture eventually will be arranged 
to handle all the stock cattle in this way during the winter. 
III. SUMMER FATTENING OF STEERS. 
OBJECT OF WORK. 
Most of the cattle in this section of North Carolina are finished on 
grass and sold as feeders when 2 years old. It was thought that the 
extra finish acquired by feeding cottonseed cake with the grass would 
make the cattle more readily marketable on butcher markets, making 
greater discrimination in the quality and finish of cattle than ordi- 
narily is made by buyers. By making a comparison of the two 
