Dec, io, 1917 
Nature and Rate of Growth in Lambs 
615 
Economically this is a matter of vital importance in modern methods of 
sheep husbandry. It emphasizes the fact that under ordinary farm con¬ 
ditions the possibilities of profits are greater when all surplus is sold off at 
3 or 4 months of age. 1 
Full structural growth (maturity) is probably attained near the end of 
the second year under normal conditions. The date must naturally vary 
somewhat with different breeds, and also with care and environment, as 
exceptionally favorable conditions of feed, climate, and health accelerate 
growth, resulting in early maturity with a regular growth curve, whereas 
unfavorable conditions of health, feed, and climate, which are incom¬ 
patible with a normal growth curve earlier in life, may be compensated 
by growth prolonged beyond the normal time for its logical termination. 2 
If the potential limit of size of these animals is intermediate between 
the size characters of their adult parentage, then the measurement at 280 
days shown indicates that 75 per cent of the total growth feas been com- 
- 4- - 
1 Ritzman, E. G. ewes’ milk: its pat content and relation to the growth op lambs. In Jour. 
Agr. Research, v. 8, no. 2, p. 29-36, 1 fig. 1917. Literature cited, p. 35-36. 
Waters, H. J. the capacity op animals to grow under adverse conditions. In Proc. 29th Ann. 
Meeting Soc. Prom. Agr. Sci., 1908, p. 71-96, 5 fig. 1908. 
-, The inpluence op nutrition upon animal form. In Proc. 30th Ann. Meeting Soc. Prom. 
Agr. Sci., p. 70^98, 6 fig. 1909. 
Mendel, L. B. nutrition and growth. In Harvey Lectures delivered under the auspices of the 
Harvey Society of New York, s. 10, 1914/15, p. 101-131. 1915. Bibliography, p. 128-131. 
