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UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

BULLETIN No. 141

RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF DIFFERENT

RATIONS FOR FLESHING HORSES

FOR MARKET

BY RUFUS C. OBRECHT

URBANA, ILLINOIS, NOVEMBER, 1909

SUMMARY OF BULLETIN No. 141

1. Some of the factors which determine the profits or losses resulting from
fleshing horses for market are : The market class and grade selected ; their initial
cost; their soundness; the cost of feeds; the efficiency of the ration for produc-
ing gains; the methods employed in feeding; the length of time necessary to feed
to secure the desired finish ; the retaining of health and soundness of the horses
during the feeding period, and the season marketed. Page 525

2. The object of these experiments was to compare different rations for
fleshing horses for market, in which corn, oats, bran, oil meal, clover hay and
timothy hay were used; and also, to determine the influence of exercise in tak-
ing on of flesh together with methods of stabling. Page 525

3. Plan. — Experiment No. 1 involved three lots of 6 horses each and each lot
was fed a different ration for 84 days. Page 526

Experiment No. 2 involved four lots of 6 horses each and each lot was fed a
different ration for 112 days. The horses in both experiments were appraised by
a committee of experts at the beginning and again at the end of the experiment.

Page 539

4. Gains. — The average daily gain per horse in experiment No. 1 varied from
1.88 pounds made by lot 3, to 2.98 pounds made by lot 2. Lot 2 made 30 percent
more gains than lot 1, while lot 3 made 18 percent less than lot 1. Page 531

The average daily gain per horse in experiment No. 2 varied from 2.12 to
2.44 pounds made by lots 1 and 3 respectively. Page 543

The largest gain of a single horse in experiment No. 1 was made by No. 11
of lot 2, which gained 297 pounds in 84 days, or an average of 3.54 pounds per
day. During the first 28 days he. made a daily gain of 4.75 pounds. Page 532

The largest gains in experiment No. 2 was made by No. 48 of lot 2, which
gained 363 pounds in 112 days, or ,an average of 3.24 pounds per day. Page 544

5. Because oil meal is an expensive feed and is used in small amounts with
other grains it is very important in horse feeding that only the best quality
should be used. Page 541

6. The horses receiving the clover hay in experiment No. 1 had better appe-
tites, making it easier to keep them on feed, drank more water, were in better
general thrift, and took on a better market finish than those receiving timothy
hay. Page 534

There was no visible difference between the rations in experiment No. 2 so
far as the effect on the market condition of the horses was concerned. The
horses receiving corn and clover hay did not have as keen an appetite during
the latter part of the experiment as those receiving corn, oats and clover hay.
The horses receiving corn supplemented with bran and fed with clover hay tired
of the bran during the last six weeks. Page 546

7. The horses getting exercise made 41 pounds less gain per head or an
average of nearly y2 pound less per day than those not getting exercise. Page 547

8. Seventeen horses in experiment No. 1 made an average gain of 192 pounds,
which were worth 25.3 cents per pound, or a total of $48.53. Page 535

Twenty horses in experiment No. 2 made an average gain of 257.7 pounds,
which were worth 18 cents per pound, or a total of $46.25. Page 548

9. The cost of producing gains with corn, bran and clover hay in experiment
No. 1 was 8.5 cents per pound ; with corn, oats, bran and clover hay was 7.4
cents; with corn, oats, bran and timothy hay was 12.1 cents. Page 537

The cost of producing gains with corn and clover hay in experiment No. 2
was 12 cents per pound; with 24 corn and J4 oats with clover hay it was 12.3
cents; with one-half oats and one-half corn with clover hay, 12.7 cents; with
four-fifths corn and one-fifth bran with clover hay 12.4 cents. Page 549

10. Conclusions Page 553

524

RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF DIFFERENT

RATIONS FOR FLESHING HORSES

FOR MARKET

BY R. C. OBRECHT, ASSISTANT CHIEF IN HOKSE HUSBANDRY

The fleshing of horses for market is a subject that has received
but little consideration from investigators altho the business is one of
considerable magnitude and importance thruout the middle west.
The profits or losses resulting from this industry are determined by a
number of factors, some of which are as follows : The market class
and grade of horses selected ; the initial cost of the horses ; their sound-
ness ; the cost of feeds ; the efficiency of the ration for producing gains ;
the methods employed in feeding; the length of time necessary to feed
to secure the desired finish; the retaining of health and soundness of
the horses during the feeding period ; and the season when marketed.

It was found that most practical feeders follow the plan of using
the feeds they can buy locally and then resorting to condiments, such
as stock foods, "black strap" molasses, a cheap grade of brown New
Orleans sugar, etc., for keeping up the appetite of their horses. Their
opinion as to the efficiency and economy of feeds and appetizers used is
most generally based simply upon personal observations. Because of
these facts it was thought desirable to determine the relative value of
some of the common feeding stuffs used thruout the State of Illinois.

OBJECT OF THE EXPERIMENTS

The main object of these experiments was to secure data for a
comparison of rations for feeding horses, as follows : Corn and oil
meal ; corn, oats, and oil meal ; corn, bran, and oil meal ; corn, oats,
bran, and oil meal ; when fed in connection with clover hay, or with
timothy hay, with respect to the following points :

1. The rapidity and extent of gains.

2. The economy of gains as measured by feed con-
sumed.

3. The nature of the gains as affecting conformation
and ultimately the commercial value.

4. The relative profit to the feeder after considering all
items of expense and income.

Another object was to secure data upon the influence of exercise
on horses in taking on of flesh together with methods of stabling.

Observations were also made in regard to the individuality of the
horses used in the different lots in order to determine, if possible, the
type and cojtformation best suited for feeding purposes ; ,those making
the largest gains as well as finishing into the most desirable market
animals.

525

526 BULLETIN No. 141 [November.

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
PLAN OF THE EXPERIMENT

In planning this experiment it was thought desirable to determine
the relative efficiency of timothy hay and clover hay when each was
fed in conjunction with corn, oats, bran, and oil meal, for the reason
that a majority of farmers consider timothy hay the best roughage
for work horses, and it is not uncommon to find some horse feeders
using pure timothy or a mixed hay of timothy and clover in fleshing
horses for market. A grain ration of corn, bran, and oil meal was
also compared with one in which one-half the corn was replaced with
oats and in both instances fed in conjunction with clover hay. Briefly
stated then, the plan of the experiment was a direct comparison of corn
with a mixed ration of corn and oats, and of clover hay with timothy
hay, as rations for fleshing horses for market in an eighty- four day
feeding period. If the preliminary feeding period were added to the
eighty-four days it would make the entire period almost equal to the
time usually required to put thin horses into marketable condition,
which is from 100 to 120 days.

For convenience, the time was divided into three periods of
twenty-eight days each. The initial weights of the horses were se-
cured by weighing them on three consecutive days, and taking the
average of the weights. In each instance the horses were weighed
after they were fed grain and hay in the morning, but before they were
watered. This same plan was carried out in securing the weights at
the close of each period of twenty-eight days, the first weights being
taken on the day prior, and the last weights on the day subsequent to
the dates marking the close of the periods.

At the beginning of the experiment the horses were examined by
a committee of expert horsemen, consisting of Mr. L. M. Newgass of
the horse commission firm of Newgass & Son, Chicago, Mr. Nels
Nelson of Paxton, a local dealer who buys for a Chicago sale stable,
and Mr. C. E. Smith of Tuscola, an extensive, experienced feeder of
heavy horses and a well known judge. Mr. Smith often consigns fin-
ished horses to the Chicago market.

This committee was asked to pass judgment as to the market
value of the horses, taking as their standard country prices. They
were also asked as to their judgment concerning the uniformity of the
lots. This same committee (Mr. Newgass being absent) visited the
University again at the, close of the experiment and placed values on
the horses in their finished form. The committee was asked to take a
stationary market as their basis from which to work in order to avoid
any unusual conditions that might arise thru market fluctuations and
thus it was possible to secure data on the basis of a steady market.
From the values assigned to the horses by this committee, all compu-
tations are made concerning profits or losses. The writer desires to
acknowledge his indebtedness to these gentlemen for their gratuitous
services which have been of great value and importance in this experi-
ment.

1909] FLUSHING HORSKS KOK MARKKT 527

STABLING AND WATERING

The horses were stabled in the basement of the general stock and
storage barn of the University South Farm, which is better lighted and
ventilated than the basement of the average barn of this kind. They
were tied in single stalls, 4' 8" x 9' and kept there without exercise
from the beginning of the experiment until the close, except on weigh
days and at a few intervals when it was desirable to have them out for
inspection. When weighed they did not walk more than fifteen rods
in going to and returning from the scales.

The floor of the stable was paved with brick, with the exception
of five stalls, which were earth. The mangers and feed boxes were of
the usual kind, built of wood in one end of the stall, and the feed was
taken in from the rear, beside the horse. It was originally intended to
have water before them in pails at all times but after a short trial it
was found that they would very soon befoul it and through their mis-
chievousness, mash the pails.' For this reason the plan was abandoned
and for a short time they were given water five times daily. They did
not drink enough at the second and fourth watering to justify the
continuance of this plan, so for the remainder of the test they received
water three times daily.

HORSES USED

Eighteen head of horses (five mares and thirteen geldings) were
used in this experiment. They were divided into three lots of six
horses each, and each horse was tagged with a numbered label. The
division was made with the view of securing as nearly as possible uni-
form lots, considering size, conformation, quality and condition. One
of these horses had been on the University farm and was just out of
work, while the others were purchased in Central Iowa and Illinois.
They were received at the University of Illinois from January 17 to
27, 1906. Nothing was known of the previous treatment or history
of the horses, but judging from their appearance, probably most of
them had not been stabled during the earlier part of the winter, but
perhaps had been given the run of a stalk field and straw stack, which
is the treatment often given to farm horses that are not used during
the winter ; a few, however, showed signs of better care. They were
classed as eastern chunks, with two exceptions, these being a little
smaller and lighter boned than the others, were classed as farm
chunks.

They ranged in age from four to seven years, were sound, of good
color (seven grays, seven bays, three browns, and one black), and
apparently in good health when they arrived at the University farm.
Judging from appearances, they had a greater percentage of Percheron
blood than that of any other breed, altho there were evidences of Shire
blood in some of them.

PRELIMINARY FEEDING.

The preliminary feeding lasted eleven to twenty-one days, varying
according to the time of their arrival at the University. This seemed
necessary in order to get the horses accustomed to their new condi-

528 BULLETIN No. 141 [November,

tions and surroundings, and other matters adjusted. During this time
they all received a ration composed of one-half corn, one-half oats,
and clover hay. At first they received 12 pounds grain and 14 pounds
clover hay per horse daily. Later the hay was increased to 16 pounds
per horse daily, which amount they received up to February 6, the
beginning of the experiment proper.

It may seem to the experienced feeder that the horses were started
on rather heavy grain ration, but this was done because most of the
horses had been receiving very liberal feeds of grain for several days
before coming to the University ; and also because of the practice of
most horse feeders not requiring more than a week or ten days to get
their horses to consume a maximum grain ration. In this experiment
twenty-two to thirty-two days were required, including the preliminary
feeding, to get the horses on full feed, or twelve days from the begin-
ning of the experiment proper.

METHODS OF FEEDING AND RATIONS FED

The grain was divided into three feeds daily and given at 6 a. m.,
11:30 a. m., and 5 p. m. The grain for each horse was weighed in
pails for each feed. After getting the horses on full feed, the quan-
tity of grain fed was determined by the time required for consuming
it, and by the avidity of their appetite, they being required to clean" up
their trough before the next feed was given.

The hay was fed twice daily, morning and evening, and usually
in equal amounts. Each feed was weighed separately in bags made
for this purpose. They were given all they would consume, but were
not allowed to waste any. When they did not consume what was
given, it was weighed back and deducted from the amount fed ; but
this did not often occur.

Anticipating some difficulty in lot 3 (timothy hay horses), it was
thought best to introduce some bran and keep salt before them at all
times. This was done to avoid danger of colic, since timothy hay is
rather constipating when fed with corn and oats to horses not receiv-
ing exercise. It was thought salt would stimulate thirst and a liberal
consumption of water. This, together with the bran mash, served as a
laxative and as a result, in the eighty-four days test only one case of
colic occurred in the lot. For the sake of having the results compar-
able, bran was also introduced into the rations of lots 1 and 2. The
quantity of bran fed was largely determined by the amount the horses
in lot 3 would readily consume, which at most was 3 pounds daily.
Some of the horses in lots 1 and 2 would not consume as much, hence
the quantity fed to them was reduced. Xo. 7 of lot 1, toward the end
of the experiment, became so affected by the laxative food that it
became necessary to omit the bran mash.

The bran part of the ration was not introduced until a week after
the beginning of the experiment, and was given in the form of a wet
mash before the noon feed. The grain at this time was reduced in
amount, equivalent to the dry bran fed.

Toward the close of the second period it seemed doubtful if the
horses would be finished and free from their old hair by the time set

1909] FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET 520

to close the experiment. This was especially true with the horses in
lot 3. For this reason, it seemed desirable to introduce some oil meal
into the ration of all the lots. It was fed during the last period only
and the quantity was uniform in all the lots beginning with l/2 pound
daily per horse, and increasing it to 1 pound per horse for the second
week of the period. The third week, it was increased to l*/2 pounds
and the fourth week to 2 pounds per head daily.
The rations fed were as follows :

Lot 1. Corn, bran, oil meal (old process), clover hay.

'Lot 2. Corn, oats, bran, oil meal (old process), clover hay.

Lot 3. Corn, oats, bran, oil meal (old process), timothy hay.

QUALITY AND COST OF FEEDS

The corn was a good quality of shelled No. 2 yellow. The oats
were No. 2 white, and of good quality. The bran was of good grade
from Minneapolis, Minnesota mills. The oil meal was old process
meal, pea size. The clover hay was choice grade and free from dust
(medium red variety). The timothy hay graded choice altho the
quality was not quite as good as the clover.

The following were prevailing farm prices at the time the experi-
ment was conducted, but other prices have been used showing how it
modifies or changes the results.

Corn at 35c per bu. or $12.50 per ton

Oats at 30c per bu. or 18.75

Bran 20.00

Oil meal (O. P. pea size) 27 . 00

Clover hay 8.00

Timothy hay 9.00

HEALTH AND THRIFT OF HORSES

The experiment had been in progress but eighteen days when two
of the horses in lot 3, Nos. 17 and 18, had an attack of distemper
(strangles). They were immediately isolated from the other horses
and none of the others became affected. No. 17 had a light attack-
while No. 18 had it much more severely, and did not recover in time
to continue in the experiment. By the end of the first period No. 17
was again on feed and consuming 14 pounds of corn and oats and 16
pounds of clover. As it was desirable, if possible, to keep her eating
and from losing flesh during the attack, clover hay, being more pal-
atable, was substituted for timothy. Because of the doubtful charac-
ter of No. 17's condition after her sickness and an inequality in the
average money values between lots 2 and 3, it was thought best to
transfer No. 9 to lot 3 and No. 17 to lot 2. I Up to this time No. 9 of
lot 2 showed indications of being one of the best feeders, gaining 132
pounds during the first period. On account of the abnormal behavior
of Nos. 9 and 17 from this time until the close of the experiment, the
data from both these horses was rejected from the final results. In
the last two periods No. 9 ate approximately an average amount of
feed, but only made a total gain of 40 pounds. -In the second and
third periods No. 17 ate a little more than an average amount of feed
and made a total gain of 250 pounds, as much as the average horse of

530

BULLETIN No. 141

{November,

lot 2 made in the three periods. Had No. 17 been fed for twenty-
eight days longer, it is fair to suppose that she would have maintained
relatively the same ratio of gain as the average horses of lot 2, thus
making 90 pounds more, since she always maintained a keen appetite.

No. 13 of lot 1 was also rejected from the final results as he made
a total gain of only 80 pounds for the entire time, which is much below
the normal. Evidently there must have been something wrong
with this horse, as he weighed 10 pounds less at the end of the second
period than he did at the beginning of that period. Later he was put
on a ration of corn and oats, on which he seemed to thrive somewhat
better.

No. 4 of lot 2 also had to be rejected. At the beginning of the
third period he bruised his withers from rubbing in the stall and de-
veloped a fistula. Up to this time he made more than the average
gain for. the lot.

TABLE 1. AVERAGE DAILY RATION AND TOTAL FEED PER HORSE (POUNDS)

Lot
No.

Feeds

Periods

Average
Feb. 6 to
May 1, '06
84 days

Total feed
per horse
Feb. 6 to
May 1, '06
84 days

(1)
Feb. 6 to
Mar. 6, '06
28 days

(2)
Mar. 6 to
Apr. 3, '06
28 days

(3)
Apr. 3 to
May 1, '06
28 days

Lot 1
(5 horses)

Corn

16.19
2.15

17.16

18.1

2.8

18.7
2.14
1.23
10.95

17.7
2.37

1483.4
198.7
34.3
1164.5

Bran

Oil meal. . .
Clover hay

13.49

13.86

Lot 2
(4 horses)

Corn

8.03
8.03
1.99

17 .00

8.66
8.66
2.59

9.16
9.16
2.66
1.22
10.12

8.62
8.62
2.41

723.84
723.84
202.6
34.1
1153.7

Oats

Bran

Oil meal. . .
Clover hay.

14.01

13.73

Lot 3
(4 horses)

Corn
Oats . .

8.06
8.06
2.29

16.92

8.62
8.62
2.96

8.45
8.22
2.51
1.21
12.42

8.38
8.3
2.59

704.0
697.1
217.2
34.0
1234.1

Bran

Oil meal. . .
Timothy ..

14.74

14.69

Table 1 gives the average daily ration per horse by periods, for
the eighty-four days, and the total feed consumed per horse during the
experiment. A careful study of the table will show that all the lots
received approximately the same amount of feed daily, the most
noticeable difference being in the smaller quantity of hay consumed by
lots 1 and 2, which was less during the second and third periods
than that of lot 3. While lot 3 consumed the most hay, it also con-
sumed the least grain during the third period.

Table 1 also shows a gradual increase in the amount of grain con-
sumed daily by all the lots. The increase is much more marked, how-
ever, in lots 1 and 2 than in lot 3. This was due to the fact that the
horses in lots 1 and 2 maintained a much better appetite than those in
lot 3 during the latter part of the experiment. Because of this it made
it easier to regulate the ration of lots 1 and 2, as there was less danger

1909J

FLESHING HORSKS FOR MARKET

531

from over-feeding than there was with lot 3 (the horses getting tim-
othy hay).

TABLE 2. AVERAGE DAILY RATION PER 1000 POUNDS LIVE WEIGHT

.,

Periods

Lot

No.

Feeds

(1)
Feb. 6 to
Mar. 6, '06
28 days

(2)
Mar. 6 to
Apr 3, '06
28 days

(3)
Apr. 3 to
May 1, '06
28 days

all periods
Feb. 6 to
May 1, '06
84 days

Corn

11.64

12.37

12.35

12.25

Bran

1.55

1.91

1.41

1.64

Lot 1

Oil meal

.81

Clover hay. . .

12.33

9.21

7.23

9.62

Corn . : . .

5.68

5.75

5.82

5.818

Oats

5.68

5.75

5.82

5.818

Lot 2

Bran

1.41

1.71

1.69

1.628

Oil meal

.77

Clover hay. . .

12.02

9.30

6.43

9.270

Corn

5.97

6.17

5.85

5.99

Oats

5.97

6.17

5.69

5.93

Lot 3

Bran

1.70

2.12

1.74

1.85

Oil meal

.84

Timothy. . . .

12.54

10.55

8.60

i 10.51

TABLE 3. AVERAGE WEIGHT AND GAIN PER HORSE BY PERIODS AND TOTAL GAINS

Lot
No.

Feeds

Periods

Total gain
Feb. 6 to
May 1, '06
84 days

(1)
Feb. 6 to
Mar. 6, '06
28 days

(2)
Mar. 6 to
Apr. 3, '06
28 days

(3)

Apr. 3 to
May 1, '06
28 days

Lot 1

Corn

Wt. at beginning
Wt. at end

1345
1437
92
3.3

1437
1491
54
1.9

1491
1537
46
1.6

1345
1537
192
2.29

Bran

Oil meal. .
Clover . . .

Lbs. gain
Av. daily gain. . .

Lot 2

Corn (L$).
Oats (K)-
Bran
Oil meal. .
Clover

Wt. at beginning
Wt. at end

1356
1472
116
4.1

1472
1540
68
2.4

1540
1606
66
2.4

1356
1606
250
2.98

Lbs. gain
Av. daily gain. . .

Lot 3

Corn (Y2).
Oats (K)-
Bran
Oil meal. .
Timothy .

Wt. at beginning
Wt at end . . .

1319
1379
60
2.14

1379
1415
36
1.29

1415

1477
62
2.22

1319
1477
158
1.88

Lbs. gain
Av. daily gain. . .

Table 2 gives the average daily ration per thousand pounds live
weight. When compared on this basis it will again be seen that lot 3
consumed more hay during the second and third periods than either
of the other two lots. Lot 3 consumed nearly as much grain per thou-
sand pounds live weight as lot 1, and slightly more than lot 2. While
there was a gradual increase in quantity of grain consumed in the sec-
ond and third periods, as shown in Table 1, it is interesting to note

532 BULLETIN No. 141 [Novembet,

that the total amount of feed consumed per thousand pounds live
weight decreased as the experiment progressed.

Table 3 gives the average weight and gain per horse and the total
gains during the experiment. It shows lot 2 to be 11 pounds heavier
than lot 1, and 37 pounds heavier than lot 3 at the beginning of the
experiment. This inequality in the initial weights between lots 2 and
3 is due largely to the fact that the two horses which were discarded
from lot 3 were heavier than the average of the lot.

The most interesting part of this table is that which shows the
gains made by the various lots. It will be noticed that the horses of
lot 2 made an average gain of 250 pounds, or 58 pounds more than
those of lot 1, and 92 pounds more than those of lot 3. Had No. 17
of lot 2 been fed for twenty-eight days longer and we were to add the
estimated gain of 90 pounds to the 250 pounds of actual gain made, it
would give a total gain of 340 pounds for the eighty-four days. This
added to the total gains made by the four horses of lot 2, would give
an average gain per horse of 268 pounds. When compared on a per-
centage basis lot 2 made 30 percent more gain than lot 1 while lot 3
made 18 percent less than lot 1. This helps to emphasize the striking
difference in the relative efficiency of the rations of lots 2 and 3 for
producing gains.

From these results we must conclude that, so far as gains are con-
cerned, a mixed grain ration of corn and oats is superior to a straight
corn ration when fed in conjunction with clover hay; and clover hay
is much more valuable than timothy hay when fed in conjunction with
corn and oats.

It is also interesting to note the extent of the gains of the various
lots as made by periods. In lots 1 and 2, the largest gains were made
during the first period, the gains gradually decreasing until the close
of the experiment. This was not the case with lot 3, a probable rea-
son for which will be given later. The average daily gain of the
horses of lots 1 and 2 is considered very satisfactory, while that of lot
3 is not. The largest gains of any individual horse were made by No.
11 of lot 2 during the first period, in which he gained 133 pounds in
twenty-eight days or an average of 4.75 pounds per day. No. 9 of lot
3, which was fed in lot 2 (on corn, oats, bran, and clover hay) for the
first period, made a gain of 132 pounds, but in the next two periods,
when fed on the same grain and on timothy hay, only made a total
gain of 40 pounds, while No. 11, continuing on clover hay during the
same time, made 164 pounds gain. Nos. 12 and 16 of lot 3 made the
smallest gains of any of the horses in the experiment, an average of
135 pounds for the total time.

TABLE 4. POUNDS OF DRY MATTER PER POUND OF GAIN

Lot

No.

Feb. 6 to
Mar. 6, '06

Mar. 6 to
Apr. 3, '06

Apr. 3 to
May 1, '06

Average Feb. 6
to May 1, '06

Lot 1
Lot 2
Lot 3

9.393

7.352
T' 14.332

15.57
12.21
23.683

17.61
12.024
12.957

13.1
9.907
15.923

1909|

FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET

533

In Table 4 which gives the pounds of dry matter per pound of
gain, it will be noticed that where the gains were small the relative
amount of dry matter was large, and that where the gains were large
the amount of dry matter was small. This table serves in another way
to emphasize the relative efficiency of the ration of lot 2 over that of
lots 1 and 3.

TABLE 5. AVERAGE DRY MATTER AND DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENTS PER 1000 POUNDS

LIVE WEIGHT PER DAY

Periods

Lot
No.

Feeds

(1)
Feb. 6 to
Mar. 6, '06
28 days

(2)
Mar. 6 to
Apr. 3, '06
28 days

(3)
Apr. 3 to
May 1, '06
28 days

Average
Feb. 6 to
May 1, '06
,84 days

Corn. . . .

Dry matter.

22. 19

20.51

19. 11

20.6

Lot 1

Bran. . . .
Oil meal.
Clover . .

Digest, protein. .
carbohy.
fat

1.6
13.04
.917

1.51
12.48
.835

1.58
11.77
.889

1.56
12.43
.88

Nut ratio . . .

1-9.5

1-9.4

1-8.7

1:9.2

Corn(^)

Dry matter

21.54

19.68

18.02

19.75

Lot 2

Oats(H)
Bran. . . .
Oil meal.

Digest, protein. .
carbohy.
fat

1.65
11.67
.778

1.54
10.86

.745

1.61
9.88

.752

1.6

10.80
.758

Clover . .

Nut. ratio

1 :8. 1

1-8.1

1-7.2

1-7.8

Corn (14)

Dry matter.

22.77

21 .8

19.88

21.48

Lot 3

Oats (J^)
Bran. . . .
Oil meal.

Digest, protein . .
carbohy.
fat

1.33

12.26
.775

1.36

12.55
.776

1.45
11.38
.762

1.38
12.06
.771

Timothy.

Nut. ratio

1:10.5

1:10.5

1:9.0

1:10.0

In rinding the average dry matter and digestible nutrients con-
sumed per thousand pounds live weight per day by periods, and for
the average of all periods> the average weight of the horse was taken.
In obtaining this average weight of the horse, the initial weight and
final weight of the period, or the experiment, as the case may be, were
added and the result divided by two.

By examining Table 5 it will be seen that the average daily dry
matter decreases each succeeding period. While lot 2 made the
largest total gains, it will be s.een they consumed the smallest amount
of dry matter per thousand pounds live weight; whereas, lot 3 made
the smallest gains and consumed the largest amount of dry matter per
thousand pounds live weight.1 This table also shows that lot 2 re-
ceived more protein than either of the other lots and a smaller amount
of carbohydrates. Lot 3 was the only one in which the total amount
of protein received was gradually increased during each period. While
lot 3 received more pounds of dry matter per thousand pounds live
weight, it also received less digestible nutrients than lot 1, and less di-
gestible protein than either lot 1 or lot 2. It will also be noticed that
the nutritive ratio in all the lots gradual! v narrowed toward the end of

534 BULLETIN No. 141 [November,

the experiment, and was considerably wider in lot 3 than in either of
the other lots.

In Table 3 it was shown that lot 3 made slightly more gain in
Period 3 than at any other time. They also received more protein
during this period and a considerably narrower ration as is shown in
Table 5. A reasonable explanation for the increased gain at this time
is that these horses in lot 3 had not been receiving enough protein in
the ration prior to this to permit of large gains, and with the addition
of oil meal gave an increase in protein and also an increase in gain.

A brief review of the matter given indicates that a ration with a
nutritive ratio of 1 to 8 is more efficient for producing gains with
horses than one with a wider nutritive ratio. For the reason that
timothy hay contains a small percent of protein, it is poorly suited as
the roughage part of the ration, when fed in conjunction with corn
and oats, for producing gains. Since oats contain more digestible
protein than corn, and because it adds variety to the ration, it is a
valuable adjunct to corn when fed with clover hay. It is fair to pre-
sume that it would prove even more valuable when fed with corn and
timothy hay.

EFFECT OF RATION ON HORSES

It was noticeable from the beginning of the experiment to the
close that the horses receiving the timothy hay never took on the
filled appearance and let down in the barrel as did the horses receiving
the clover hay. Those receiving the clover hay always had better ap-
petites, making it easier to keep them on feed, drank more water, and
were in better general thrift than those receiving timothy hay. The
horses receiving clover hay also took on a better market finish. Those
receiving the timothy hay were not well let down in the flank, and did
not have that thick covering of flesh necessary to round 'out their
bodies and make them highly appreciated on the market. All the
horses, except Nos. 17 and 18, remained in good health thruout the
experiment. So far as could be observed, clover hay was not more
injurious to the wind of the horses than timothy hay.

Table 6 gives the valuation of the horses at the beginning and at
the end of the experiment, based upon a stationary market, as agreed
upon by the committee. It also shows the value of gains made to be
worth from 19.5 cents to 26.6 cents per pound. The horses of lot 1
were valued $8.00 higher at the beginning of the experiment than
those of lot 2, and $16.25 higher than those of lot 3. This inequality
of initial valuation is due somewhat to the discarding of some of the
horses from the final results. As originally made up. lot 1 had an
average valuation of $181.66; lot 2, $176.66; and lot 3. $175.00.

It will be noticed that lot 1 increased in value $51.00 per horse;
lot 2, $48.75 ; and lot 3. $35.00. Lot 1 and lot 2 were nearly enough
equal to indicate that the rations of these lots were equally efficient
for producing increase in value. The difference is due more to the
individuality and sex of the horses than the efficiency of the ration.

1909J

FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET

535

since lot 1 had one mare and four geldings, while lot 2 had two mares
and two geldings. Lot 3, which had three geldings and one mare,
was decidedly lacking in finish, and the difference in the relative in-
creased valuation illustrates pretty well what may be expected from the
feeding of this ration.

A better basis from which to compute the value of gains is ob-
tained by dividing the average increased valuation of the seventeen
horses by the average gain in weight. Referring to the last line of
Table 6, it will be seen that the increased valuation per horse was
$48.53, the average gain 192 pounds, and the value per pound of in-
creased weight 25.3 cents.

TABLE 6. VALUE OF HORSES ON STATIONARY MARKET

Lot
No.

Feeds

No. of
horse

Feb. 24, '06
first
valuation

May 1, '06
last
valuation

Increase
in value

Lb. in-
crease in
weight

Value per
Lb. of
increase
weight

Lot 1

Corn. . . .
Bran. . . .
Oil meal.
Clover . .

1
2
3
6

5

$ 215.00
165.00
200.00
190.00
170.00

$ 260.00
225.00
240.00
260.00
210.00

$ 45.00
60.00
40.00
70.00
40.00

Total . . .

940.00

1195.00

255.00

960

Average

188.00-

239.00

51.00

192

26. 6c

Lot 2

Corn(H)

Oats(H)
Bran. . . .
Oil meal.
Clover . .

2
IS
14
11

185.00
200.00
150.00
185.00

220.00
265.00
180.00
250.00

35.00
65.00
30.00
65.00

Total . . .

720.00

915.00

195.00

1000

Average

180.00

228.75

48.75

250

19. 5c

Lot 3

Corn(^)
Oats(J^)
Bran. . . .
Oil meal.
Timothy

12
8
10
16

185.00
150.00
165.00
175.00

200 . 00
200.00
190.00

225.00

15.00
50.00
25.00
50.00

Total . . .

675.00

815.00

140.00

630

Average

168.75

203.75

35.00

158

22. 2c

Horses
not used
in expt.

13
9

17
18

150.00
2 1 5 . 00
170.004
' 160.00

190.00
235.00
265.00
240.00

40.00
20.00
95.00
80.00

80
170
250
170

Total . . .

695.00

930.00

235.00

670

Grand total of all horses . . .

$3030.00

$3855.00

$825.00

3260

Average of 17 horses. .

$178.24

$226.76

$48.53

192

25. 3c

536 BULLETIN No. 141 [November,

ITEMIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT No. 1
(Per horse)

LOT 1
Expenditures

To 1 Horse at $188.00 $188.00

" 1483.4 Ib. corn at 35c 9.27

" 198.7 Ib. bran at $20.00 1.99

" 34.3 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 46

" 1164.5 Ib. clover hay at $8.00 4.66

Total expenditures $204.38
Receipts
By 1 Horse $239.00

Profit per horse $34.62

LOT 2
Expenditures

To 1 Horse at $180.00 $180.00

723.84 Ib. corn at 35c 4.52

723.84 Ib. oats at 30c 6.79

202.6 Ib. bran at $20.00 2.03

34.1 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 46

1153.7 Ib. clover hay at $8.00 4.61

Total expenditures $198.41
Receipts
By 1 Horse $228.75

Profit per horse $30.34

LOT 3
Expenditures

To 1 Horse at $168.75 '. $168.75

704 Ib. corn at 35c. 4.40

697.1 Ib. oats at 30c 6.54

217.2 Ib. bran at $20.00 - 2.17

34 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 46

1234.1 Ib. timothy hay at $9.00 5.55

Total expenditures $187.87
Receipts
By 1 Horse $203.75

Profit per horse $1 5.88

From financial statement No. 1, it will be seen that lot 1 netted
the largest profit, being $4.28 more per horse than lot 2, and $18.74
more than lot 3. Results arrived at in this way might be accurate
enough had a large number of animals been used in each lot. In this
test, the number in each lot was too small, for the valuation of horses
can only be approximated because we do not have an accurate standard
from which to measure values, such as prevails in markets for cattle,
hogs and sheep. ,

It is shown by the data taken from Table 6 that for an average of
seventeen horses, the gains made were worth 25. 3 cents per pound.

1909) FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKKT 537

This factor should be fairly accurate because of the number of horses
involved. |

FINANCIAL STATEMENT No. 2

(Profit per horse based on pounds of gain)

LOT 1
Expenditures

To 1483.4 Ib. corn at 35c $ 9.27

" 198.7 Ib. bran at $20.00 1.99

" 34.3 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 46

" 1164.5 Ib. clover hay at $8.00 • 4.66

Total cost of feed $ 16.38
Receipts
By 192 Ib. gain at 25.3c $ 48.58

Profit per horse $ 32.20

Cost per pound gain 8.5 cents

LOT 2
Expenditures

To 723.84 Ib. corn at 35c $ 4.52

" 723.84 Ib. oats at 30c 6.79

" 202.6 Ib. bran at $20.00 • " . . . . 2.03

" 34.1 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 46

" 1153.7 Ib. clover hay at $8.00 4.61

Total cost of feed $ 18.41
Receipts
By 250 Ib. gain at 25.3c $ 63.25

Profit per horse $ 44.84

Cost per pound gain 7.4 cents

LOT 3
Expenditures

To 704 Ib. corn at 35c $ 4.40

" 697.1 Ib. oats at 30c 6.54

" 217.2 Ib. bran at $20.00 2.17

" 34 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 46

" 1234.1 Ib. timothy hay at $9.00 5.55

Total cost of feed $ 19.12
Receipts
By 158 Ib. gain at 25.3c $ 39.97

Profit per horse $ 20.85

Cost per pound gain 12.1 cents

A brief consideration of financial statement No. 2 will show that
when taken from the standpoint of gains, which is done in order to
eliminate individuality, the ration fed lot 2 yielded a larger profit than
that fed either of the other lots. While lot 2 gave the largest profits,
based on pounds gain, it was also a more expensive ration than that fed
lot 1, but not so expensive as that fed lot 3. The cost per pound gain
made by lot 2 was less than either of the other lots due to the efficiency
of the ration to produce larger gains. The cost per pound gain made

538

BULLETIN No. 141

[November,

by lot 1 was 8.5 cents; lot 2, 7.4 cents; and lot 3, 12.1 cents, or 63 per-
cent greater than that of lot 2.

No account has been taken of the labor involved in caring for the
horses nor the bedding used. It has been assumed that the manure
produced would offset this item of expense.

TABLE 7.

NET PROFIT FER HORSE AND COST PER POUND OF GAIN WITH VARYING
PRICES OF FEEDS

Feeds used and at varying prices

With increase
gain at 25 .3c
per Ib.

Lot 1

Lot 2

Lot 3

Corn
Bran
Oil meal
Clover

Corn(^)
Oats(^)
Bran
Oil meal
Clover

Corn(^)

Oats(H)
Bran
Oil meal
Timothy

Corn at 35c, oats at 30c, bran at $20.00
per ton, oil meal at $27.00 per ton,
clover hay at $8.00 per ton, timothy
hay at $9.00 per ton

Net profit. . . .

$32.39

$45 . 09

$21.01

Cost per pound
of gain

8.5c

7.4c

12. Ic

Corn at 40c, oats at 35c, bran at $22.00
per ton, oil meal at $30.00 per ton,
clover hay at $8.00 per ton, timothy
hay at $9.00 per ton

Net profit ....

$30.82

$43 . 06

$19.02

Cost per pound
of gain

9.3c

8.2c

13. 4c

Corn atSOc, oats at 45c, bran at $24.00
per ton, oil meal at $30.00 per ton,
clover hay at $8.00 per ton, timothy
hay at $9.00 per ton

Net profit

$27.97

$39.31

$15.37

Cost per pound
of gain

10. 8c

9.7c

15. 7c

Corn at 65c, oats at SSc, bran at $26.00
per ton, oil meal at $32.00 per ton,
clover hay at $1 1.00 per ton, timothy
hay at $12.00 per ton

Net profit

$22.02

$33.15

$ 9.22

Cost per pound
of gain

13. 9c

"12.4c

20. Oc

It will be seen from Table 7, which gives the net profit per horse
and cost per pound of gain with varying prices of feeds, that in every
instance lot 2 would return the largest profit and make cheaper gains
than any other lot.

With corn at 50 cents, oats at 45 cents and bran at $24.00 per ton,
there is still a nice profit to be made as is shown in the above state-
ment. With such conditions, lot 2 would return $11.34 or 41 percent
more profit per horse than lot 1, and $23.94 or 155 percent more profit
per horse than lot 3. The higher in price the grain, the more profitable
relatively would be the ration fed lot 2 because of its greater efficiency
to produce gains than that fed lots 1 and 3. Even under such condi-
tions, the rations fed all the lots would prove profitable, for it will be
seen that lot 3, which received the least efficient ration, produced gains
at a cost less than their value when produced.

1909J FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET 539

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
PLAN OF THE EXPERIMENT

This experiment was planned to secure more data upon the results
of mixing oats and bran with corn as compared with an all-corn ra-
tion, with clover hay as the roughage in each instance.

A comparison was also made of the effect of exercise with no
exercise upon the taking on of flesh ; some of the horses were given a
walk of 2.8 miles daily, while others were kept in the barn without any
exercise. Horses allowed the freedom of a box stall were also com-
pared with others tied in single stalls without exercise.

The experiment extended over 112 days or four periods of 28
days each. The initial and final weights of each period were secured
by taking the average of three consecutive daily weights, the same plan
being used as in the previous experiment. The horses were appraised
at the beginning and at the end of the experiment by a committee of
expert horsemen. At the beginning of the experiment, the committee
was composed of Messrs. T. V. Coffin of Champaign, Illinois, an ex-
tensive feeder and dealer in heavy horses, and Dan Sayer of the com-
mission firm of E. H. Schloeman and Co., Chicago. It was intended
to have the same committee do the appraising at the close of the ex-
periment, but it was impossible to get the services of Mr. Sayer at that
time and so Henry Piosa of the same firm substituted for him.

STABLING AND WATERING

The horses were stabled in the basement of the general stock and
storage barn of the University South Farm, which is described under
the above head in Experiment No. 1. Half, or 12 of the horses were
tied in single stalls and the others were turned loose in box stalls about
12 x 14 feet. They were watered three times daily from pails, and
given all the salt they would consume by keeping a small box of it in
front of each horse. •

HORSES USED

Twenty-four head of geldings varying in age from four to eight
years were used in this experiment, and were divided into lots of six
horses each. The horses were divided into as nearly uniform lots as
possible considering size, conformation, age, quality, condition, and
valuation. It will be seen that at the beginning of the experiment, lot
4 was about 40 pounds heavier than lots 2 and 3, and 66 pounds heavier
than lot 1. The greater weight was due to size and ruggedness rather
than better flesh. Each horse was given a number for identification,
which was branded on his left front hoof.

They were native horses, just out of work, and were purchased
from local dealers in central Illinois except two of the geldings, which
had been used on the University Farm for more than two years. Most
of them showed evidences of Percheron or Shire breeding tho a few
had the characteristics of Belgian blood. Commercially they would
have been rated on the market from "good" to "choice," and most of

540 BULLETIN No. 141 [November,

them classed as light draft, while a few were eastern chunks. On
the whole the horses used in this experiment were larger, better and
more uniform than those used in the first experiment. When they
arrived at the University, all of them were sound except one horse,
which had a hip slightly down. Later some of them became injured,
but at the end of the experiment they were appraised as sound in order
to arrive at the value of the flesh taken on.

They were received at the University from September 15 to Sep-
tember 24, 1906, and were turned on rather short pasture without
grain, excepting a small amount of green corn cut daily from the field.
They remained out on pasture until October 18 when they were taken
up and put into the barn preparatory to beginning the experiment.

It was not the intention to have the horses gain much while on
pasture, but simply hold their own. The real purpose in putting the
horses on pasture was not to secure gains but to tone up their systems
and give all an equal chance when started on feed. It was thought
that the above method would do it, but for some unaccountable reason
they did not seem to thrive well for a month or more after being put
into the barn. The writer thinks the trouble was in the pasture, for on
the same farm similar difficulties have been experienced with brood-
mares and colts during the late summer and autumn months. It is be-
lieved that greater gains would have been secured had they never been
turned onto pasture.

PRELIMINARY FEEDING

The preliminary feeding extended over a period of six days, the
time considered necessary to accustom the horses to their new environ-
ment and get things adjusted for beginning the experiment proper.
During this time they all received a ration of corn and clover hay, be-
ginning with 12 pounds of grain and 16 pounds of hay daily, and grad-
ually increasing the hay to 24 pounds daily.

METHODS OF FEEDING AND RATIONS FED

As in the previous experiment, the grain fed was divided into
three feeds daily and given at 6 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5 p.m. The
horses were not given a maximum grain ration until six weeks after
the beginning of the experiment, the time being somewhat longer than
in the previous test. From the beginning they were fed all the hay
they would eat up clean, and the quantity gradually grew less as the
grain was increased. The hay was fed twice daily, morning and even-
ing and usually in equal amounts. All foreign matter such as corn
stalks and waste hay (which only rarely occurred), was collected,
weighed back, and deducted from the amount fed. Where a mixed
grain ration was fed. a weighed quantity of the feed was prepared in
the proper proportions and placed in a bin from which the feeding was
done, and likewise a quantity of corn for lot 1. During the closing
period of the experiment, a small quantity of oil meal was fed to put
the hair in good condition. The rations fed were as follows :

Lot 1. Corn, oil meal (old process), clover hay.

Lot 2. Corn 24, oats J4, oil meal (old process), clover hay.

Lot 3. Corn l/2, oats y2, oil meal (old process), clover hay.

Lot 4 Corn ^, bran 1A, oil meal (old process), clover hay.

1909] FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET 541

QUALITY AND COST OF FEEDS

The quality of the feeds used was the same as described in Ex-
periment No. 1. The following were about the average farm prices of
the feeds during the time when the experiment was conducted :

Corn at 43c per bu. or $15.36 per ton

Oats at 35c per bu. or 21.88 per ton

Bran at $1.00 per cwt. or 20.00 per ton

Oil meal (O: P. pea size) at 27.00 per ton

Clover hay at 13.00 per ton

It will be noted that clover hay was excessively high, owing to
the shortage of the crop: Other prices will be used in comparison with
the above in order to show the results when the prices of feeds are
varied. .

HEALTH AND THRIFT OF HORSES

As stated earlier, this experiment did not start off satisfactorily
for some unaccountable reason. The data from three horses in the
experiment were rejected (No. 33, lot 1, No. 37, lot 2, and No. 41, lot
4), because they did not thrive, and their gains were so small they
were considered abnormal. There was nothing to indicate that these
horses would not be good feeders but they failed to respond to the
feed consumed. As it happened, lots 1, 3 and 4 each contained one
of these unthrifty horses, while in lot 2 No. 36 died two and one-half
months after the experiment began. A post-mortem examination
failed to reveal the cause of the trouble, which was in the head and
rendered breathing so difficult that a trachea tube was necessary to
keep the horse alive for even a few hours. Up to this time No. 36
had been making more than average gains. The death of this horse
and the rejection of three others left five horses in each lot. Horse
No. 25 of lot 1 had a few attacks of colic which may have slightly
prevented his making larger gains. He was below average in this
respect, but the feeding of a heavy ration of whole corn may be partly
accountable for the colic. All the other horses remained in good
health, but during the third period they all received a set back caused
by attempting to introduce some oil meal so unpalatable to them that
they would not consume their grain when the oil meal was added.
The following tables show the reduction in the amount of feed con-
sumed at this time.

S6 far as was possible to observe, the horses not having exercise
remained in as good health as those getting the daily walk of 2.8 miles.

From a study of Table 8 it will be seen that lot 1 ate less grain
and hay than the other lots, while lot 4 ate slightly less hay than that
consumed by lots 2 and 3. The table also shows a gradual increase in
the amount of grain consumed in the first two periods and a falling
off in all lots during the third period. This reduction is due to an
attempt to introduce oil meal about the middle of the third period
which caused all the horses to go off feed. After continued efforts to
induce the horses to eat it in small quantities mixed with the regular
grain ration, most of them became so averse to it that they would
leave their grain when the oil meal was added. Tt is not known why

542

BULLETIN NO. 141

[November,

the horses disliked it unless it was new process meal. The stock of
meal was new and not repulsive to cattle, nor did it seem objectionable
to taste or smell. After about ten days some new oil meal was pro-
vided which was relished by the horses during the last or fourth
period, when the grain was again materially increased.

The table shows the hay consumed was largest during the first
period from which time it was gradually reduced up to the last or
fourth period when it was again increased. It will be noted that the
relative amount of bran was also reduced in lot 4 during the third
and fourth periods. This was necessary owing to the fact that all
of the horses of this lot showed signs of not relishing the bran before
the end of the experiment, while some of them tired of it to the
extent that they would refuse their corn when it was mixed with the
normal amount of bran. By studying Table 9, which gives the average
daily ration per thousand pounds live weight, it will be seen that when
the different lots are compared on this basis there is less marked
difference in the quantity of feed consumed than there appears to be
in Table 8. The averages for all periods show that lot 3 used slightly
more grain and hay per thousand pounds live weight than the other
lots. In general, it will be seen that here, as in the previous experi-
ment, tho not so marked, the total amount of feed consumed per
thousand pounds of live weight decreased as the experiment pro-
gressed.

TABLE 8. AVERAGE DAILY RATION AND TOTAL FEED PER HORSE (POUNDS).

Lot

No.

Feeds

Periods

Average
for all
periods
112
days

Total feed
per horse
Oct. 24, '06
to
Feb. 13, '07
112 days

(1)
Oct. 24
to Nov.
21, '06
28 days

(2)
Nov. 21
to Dec.
19, '06

28 days

(3)
Dec. 19
to Jan.
16, '07
28 days

(4)
Jan. 16
to Feb.
13, '07
28 days

Lot 1

(5 horses)

Corn

15.5

20.1

15.2

17.5
1.07
17.2
35.77

17.07
.27
18.53
35.87

1911.6
30.
2075.2
4016.8

Oil meal

Clover hay. .
Total

22.3
37.8

18.9
39.0

is. 7

30.9

Lot 2
(5 horses)

Corn

11.8
3.9

15.8
5.3

14.6
4.9

14.95
5.0
1.25

14.29
4.76

1599.97
533.3
35.
2162.3
4330.57

Oats

Oil meal

Clover hay. .
Total

23.6
39.3

21.7
42.8

15.5
35.0

16.46
37.66

19.3
38.35

Lot 3
(5 horses)

Corn

7.87
7.87

10.5
10.5

9.6
9.6

10.5
10.5
1.2

9.62
9.62

1077.1
1077.1
33.5
2194.1
4381.8

Oats

Oil meal

Clover hay. .
Total

23.2
38.94

21.4
42.4

16.5
35.7

17.2
39.4

"19.59

38.83

Lot 4

(5 horses)

Corn. .

12.6
3.1

15.96
4.0

15.7
3.4

20.3
2.0
1 2

16.14
J3.14

1807.7
351.5
34.8
2080.8
4274.8

Bran . .

Oil meal. . . .

Clover hay. .
Total. .

22.9
38.6

18.8
38.76

15.4
34.5

17.2

40.7

18.58
37 86

1909J FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET

TABLE 9. DAILY RATION PER 1000 POUNDS LIVE WEIGHT

543

Lot
No.

Feeds

Periods

Average for
all periods
Oct. 24, '06
to
Feb. 13, '07
112 days

(1)
Oct. 24 to
Nov. 21, '06
28 days

(2)
Nov. 2 1 to
Dec. 19, '06
28 days

(3)
Dec. 19 to
Jan. 16, '07
28 days

(4)
Jan. 16 to
Feb. 13, '07
28 days

Lot 1

Corn
Oil meal. .
Clover hay
Total. . . .

10.54

15.23
25.77

13.07

9.5

10.59
.65
10.44
21.68

10.98

12.27
25.34

9.79
19.29

11.92
23.08

Lot 2

Corn
Oats

7.79
2.59

15.56
25.94

9.93
3.31

8.89
2.96

8.79
2.93
.73
9.69
22.14

8.92
2.97

Oil meal. .
Clover hay
Total. . . .

13.63
26.87

9.45
21.30

12.05
23.94

Lot 3

Corn
Oats

5.2
5,2

6.56
6.56

5.82
5.82

6.17
6.17
.69
10.11
23.14

6.01
6.01

Oil meal

Clover hay
Total. . . .

15.33
25.73

13.38
26.50

10.00
21.64

12.24
24.26

Lot 4

Corn
Bran

8.20
2.05

9.98
2.49

9.47
2.08

11.84
1.15
.72
9.98
23.69

9.91
1.93

Oil meal

Clover hay
Total. . . .

14.93
25.18

11.77
24.24

9.32
20.87

11.41
23.25

TABLE 10. AVERAGE WEIGHT AND GAIN PER HORSE BY PERIODS, AND TOTAL GAINS

Lot

No.

Feeds

Periods

Total gain
Oct. 24,
'06 to
Feb. 13,
'07
112 days

(1)
Oct. 24
to Nov.
21, '06
28 days

(2)
Nov. 21
to Dec.
19, '06

28 days

(3)
Dec. 19
to Jan.
16, '07
28 days

(4)
Jan. 16
to Feb.
13, '07
28 days

Lot

1

Corn
Oil meal. .
Clover . . .

Wt. at beginning.
' end

1436
1499
63

2.25

1499
1576
77
2.75

1576
1629
53
1.89

1629
1674
45
1.61

1436
1674
238
2.12

Pounds gain
Av. daily gain. . . .

Lot
2

Corn (%).
Oats (y&
Oil meal. .
Clover . . .

Wt. at beginning.
' end

1468
1563
95
3.39

1563
1620
57
2.04

1620
1664
44
1.57

1664
1734
70
2.50

1468
1734
266
2.38

Pounds gain . ...

Av. daily gain. . . .

Lot
3

Corn (^).
Oats (Y2)
Oil meal. .
Clover . . .

Wt. at beginning.
' end

1463
1564
101
3.61

1564
1635
71
2.54

1635
1671
36
1.29

1671
1736
65
2.32

1463
1736
273
2.44

Pounds gain

Av. daily gain. . . .

Lot
4

Corn (%).
Bran (>/) .
Oil meal. .
Clover . . .

Wt. at beginning.
' end

1502
1569
67
2.39

1569
1630]
61
2.18

1630
1681
51
* 1.82

1681

1755
74
2.64

1502
1755
254
2.26

Pounds gain

Av. daily ga:n. . . .

544

BULLETIN No. 141

[November,

A perusal of Table 10 shows lot one to be slightly lighter than
lots 2 and 3, all of which were lighter than lot 4 at the beginning of
the experiment. It did not seem possible to get the lots more evenly
divided in weight without unbalancing the quality, which was wholly
undesirable. The various lots seemed equal with regard to the amount
of flesh that each might take on.

The horses in lot 3 made an average gain of 273 pounds, which is
7 pounds more than made by lot 2, 19 pounds more than lot 4, and
35 pounds more than made by lot 1. It will also be noticed that
the highest average daily gain is 2.44 pounds, which is less than the
best in Experiment 1, and not altogether satisfactory. However, the
small gains may be accounted for in several ways : The horses did not
start off feeding well from the first ; later they were off feed for ten
days due to an attempt to introduce into the ration oil meal, which
they would not eat, and it will be noted that some of the horses in
each lot were exercised daily and did not make as large gains as those
not exercised. (See Table 13, page 546.)

From these results, we must conclude that a ration of corn sup-
plemented with oats and fed in conjunction with clover hay is superior
to an all-corn ration for producing gains tho the extent of gains is
little influenced when the quantity of oats is not less than one-fourth
and not more than one-half of the grain fed ; and also, that a small
quantity of bran mixed with corn and fed in conjunction with clover
hay is superior to an all-corn ration for producing gains tho not as
good as a mixed ration of corn and oats.

Lot 1 made its greatest gain during the second period, lots
2 and 3 made their greatest gain during the first period, while lot 4
made its greatest gain during the fourth periodJ No. 48 in lot 2 made
an average daily gain of 3.24 pounds, or a total gain of 363 pounds
in the 112 days, which was larger than that made by any other horse
in the experiment.

TABLF, 11. POUNDS OF DRY MATTER PER POUND OF GAIN

Lot
No.

Periods

Average
Oct. 24, '06
to
Feb:i3, '07

(1)
Oct. 24 to
Nov. 21/06

(2)
Nov. 21 to
Dec. 19, '06

(3)
: Dec. 19 to
! Jan. 16, '07

(4)
Jan. 16 to
Feb. 13, '07

Lot 1

14.53
10.01
9.33
13.97

12.32
18.24
14.51
15.48

14.19
19.39
24.22
16.52

19.38
13.13
14.81
13.44

14.66
14.15
13.95
14.64

Lot 2 .

Lot 3

Lot 4

The economic use made of the feeds is brought out in Table 11,
which shows lot 3 to have required the least dry matter to make a
pound of gain; lot 2 is next in order, then lots 4 and 1, which are
about the same. This helps to emphasize the fact that perhaps the
rations of lots 2 and 3 were more palatable than that of lots 1 and 4,
and with the result that a larger amount of feed was consumed and
larger and more economical gains secured. I It will also be seen that
the amount of dry matter per pound of gain is higher than that re-
quired in lots 1 and 2 in Experiment 1.

1909]

FLESHING HORSKS FOR MARKET

545

Table 12 gives the average daily dry matter and digestible nutri-
ents per thousand pounds live weight, which shows that the amount
of dry matter decreased as the experiment progressed and was notice-
ably less during the third and fourth periods.

In the average for the entire experiment lot 1 received slightly
less dry matter than lot 4, and noticeably less than lot 2. Lot 3 con-
sumed the largest amount of dry matter per thousand pounds live
weight, and also made larger gains than any other lot in the experi-
ment.1 The relative amount of gains made in the other lots is in the
same proportion as the amount of dry matter consumed per thousand
pounds live weight.

Table 12 also shows that lot 3, which made the largest gains, re-
ceived the largest amount of digestible protein and the smallest amount
of carbohydrate of all the lots, while lot 1, which received the smallest
amount of digestible protein and next to the largest amount of
digestible carbohydrates made the smallest gains of all the lots. In
other words, this indicates that a ration with a nutritive ratio of
1 : 9.5 is too wide for best results in fleshing horses. We see here,
as in Experiment 1, that the narrower the nutritive ratio, the larger
the gains. Lot 4, however, is an exception ; as will be seen it was
fed a slightly narrower nutritive ratio than lot 2 and made 12 pounds
less gain. This difference is so small that it is more likely to be due
to the individuality of the horses than to the ration fed. It will also
be seen that the nutritive ratio gradually widened in all lots until the

TABLE 12. AVERAGE DRY MATTER AND DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENTS PER 1000 POUNDS

LIVE WEIGHT PER DAY

Lot

No.

r

Feeds

Periods-

Total
Oct. 24,
'06, to
Feb. 13,
'07
112 days

(1)*

Oct. 24
to Nov.
21, '06
28 days

(2)
Nov. 21
to Dec.
19, '06
28 days

(3)
Dec. 19
to Jan.
16, '07
28 days

(4)
Jan. 16
to Feb.
13, '07
28 days

Lot
1

Corn ....
Oil meal. .
Clover . . .

Dry matter

22.16
1.54
12.77
.79

1:9. s;;

22.04
1.55
13.32
.87
1 :9 . 9

16.76
1.17
10.02
.65
1:9.9

18.87
1.46
11.19
.76
1:8.8

19.96
1.43
11.83
.77
1:9.5

Digest, protein . .
carbohyd .
eth. extr .
Nut ratio

Lot
2

Corn (%).
Oats (M)
Oil meal .
Clover . . .

Dry matter

22.42
1.58
12.33
.77
1:8.9

23.34
1.68
13.36
.88
1:9.1

18.56
1.36
10.91
.73
1:8.3

19.32
1.57
11.17
.78
1:8.3

20.91
1.55
11.94
.79
1:8.9

Digest, protein . .
carbohyd .
" eth. extr. .
Nut. ratio

Lot
3

Corn (y2).
Oats (^)
Oil meal .
Clover . . .

Dry matter

22.25
1.61
11.80
.75
1:8.3

23.01
1.71
12.61
.84
1:8.4

18.84
1.42
10.47
.71
1:8.5

20.19
1.67
11.14
.79
17.7

21.07
1.60
11.50

.77
1:8.2

Digest, protein . .
carbohyd .
eth. extr. .
Nut. ratio

Lot

4

Corn (%).
Bran (%).
Oil meal. .
Clover . . .

Dry matter

21.76
1.57
11.96
.73
1:8.7

21.08
1.57
12.12
.78
1:8.8

18.18
1.36
10.67
.69
1:9

20.68
1.66
12.34
.85
1:8.6

20.42
1.54
11.68
.76
1:8.8

Digest, protein . .
carbohyd .
eth. extr. .
Nut. ratio

546

BULLETIN No. 141

[November,

last period, where it is perceptibly narrower, due to the feeding of
oil meal. The nutritive ratio gradually widened at first due to the fact
that the horses ate less clover hay and more grain as the experiment
progressed. The small amount of nutrients fed during the third
period is due to the horses being off feed for about ten days at the
time when an attempt was made to introduce poor oil meal.

Table 10 shows the gains made in lots 2, 3 and 4 to be less during
the second period than during the first period, and still less during the
third period than during the second period. During the last or fourth
period the gains are increased over those of the third period. This
helps to emphasize the fact again that as the experiment progressed
and the nutritive ratio became wider, the gains decreased until the
last period when oil meal was introduced making a narrower nutritive
ratio when they again_ increased. The behavior of lot 1 was abnormal
in this respect, the reason for which is unaccountable.

A brief review of the results obtained in this experiment seem
to justify some of the conclusions reached in Experiment 1, that a
ration with a nutritive ratio of 1 : 8 is more satisfactory for producing
gains in fleshing horses than one with a wider nutritive ratio.

So far as the effect on the market condition of the horses was
concerned, there was no visible difference between the rations. The
horses in lot 1, receiving corn and clover hay, did not have as keen
an appetite during the latter part of the experiment as those of lots
2 and 3, which received corn, oats and clover hay. The horses in
lot 4, receiving corn, bran and clover hay, ate nearly as much as those
of lots 2 and 3, but during the last six weeks of the experiment it
was easy to see that they were becoming tired of the bran, and conse-
quently the proportion had to be reduced from y$ to whatever amount
they would consume, which with some of the horses was almost
nothing, while others would take -f the entire amount of grain fed.

EFFECT OF EXERCISE

The effect of exercise upon the taking on of flesh is shown in the
following table :

TABLE 13. EXERCISE vs. No EXERCISE

Kind

Number

Weight,

Weight,

Av. gain

Average

of

of

Lb., Oct.

Lb., Jan.

Lb.,

daily gain,

treatment

horses

24, '06

16, '07

84 days

Lb.

Exercise

7

1507

1675

168

2

No exercise . .

13

1446"

1655

209

2.49

The horses getting exercise were walked 2.8 miles daily for a
period of 84 days from the first of the experiment. Eight horses were
gi<-en this exercise daily, but only seven are included in the average
as one horse was rejected as being abnormal in that he made a very
slight gain. There were sixteen horses which did not get exercise,
two of which were rejected owing to the fact that they did not thrive,
and another one died, leaving only 13 horses from which the average
has been computed. As much care as possible was used in making
the selection of horses with which to test the effect of exercise. Half
of them were stabled in box stalls and the other half in single stalls

1909]

FLESHING HORSKS FOR MAKKKT

547

and tied up. Two horses from each lot were selected for exercise,
one from a box stall and another from a single stall. This left twice
as many to remain in the barn without exercise. Because the roads
were bad from being very muddy or frozen and very rough, the exer-
cise was discontinued at the end of the third period.

In Table 13, it will be seen that the horses getting exercise made
41 pounds less gain per head or an average of nearly ^ pound less
per day than those not getting exercise. So far as could be observed,
the horses not having exercise remained in as good health and retained
their appetite as well as those given exercise. It was not possible to
follow these horses up after they were marketed in order to see what
the ultimate results would be, as many of them were purchased by
dealers on the market and taken to different parts of the country.

EFFECT OF Box STALL

As stated above, one-half of the horses were stabled loose in box
stalls, while the other half were tied in single stalls where no exercise
could be taken.

The following table gives the results of this test :

TABLE 14. SINGLE STALL vs. Box STALL

Kind
of
stall

Number
of
horses

Weight,
Lb., Oct.
24, '06

Weight,
Lb., Jan.
16, '07

Av. gain,
Lb.,
84 days

Daily
gain,
Lb.

Single stall . . .

10

1454

1656

202

2.4

Box stall

10

1481

1667

186

2.2

From the above table, it will be seen that the horses tied up in
the single stalls made better gains by .2 pound per day than those
having the freedom of box stalls. This illustrates again the detri-
mental effect of exercise upon the taking on of flesh. It has been
claimed by some men that the box stall offers an advantage in helping
to prevent bog spavins and thoroughpins. The writer could detect no
difference in favor of the box stall in this regard. It does help, how-
ever, to prevent accidents, as horses are not so likely to become injured
from being kicked by adjoining stall companions. The box stall has
the disadvantage of being more expensive in its initial cost and re-
quires more room so that fewer horses can be accommodated, which is
often an important item. The labor involved in caring for the horses
is also greater where the box stall is used.

Table 15 gives individual gains, and shows that the horses in
single stalls made greater gains in 84 days than those in box stalls, in
both instances, where they received exercise and with no exercise.
The evidence shown here in favor of the single stall where the horses
received exercise is not sufficient to be conclusive, as too few horses
were involved, but it does seem to corroborate the results obtained
with a larger number of animals including the horses receiving no
exercise. It would seem safe to conclude that there is nothing to be
gained by the use of the box stall so far as it may influence the horse
in taking on flesh.

The valuation of the individual horses at the beginning and end
of the experiment as assigned by the appraising committee, based

548 BULLKTIN No. 141 [November

TABLE 15. INDIVIDUAL GAINS MADE BY HORSES IN 84 DAYS (POUNDS)

Lot

Exercise

No exercise

No.

Horse

No.

Single
stall

Box

stall

Horse

No.

Single
stall

Box

stall

Lot 1

30

116

22

25
27
32

280
224

225

120

Lot 2

28
46

189

183

24
43
48

130

211
270

Lot 3

38
23

188

133

'

35
42
49

254
213

253

Lot 4

31

39

172

193

34

44
47

177
198

159

Total . .

549

625

1476

1238

Average

183

156

211

206

TABLE 16. APPRAISED VALUATION OF HORSES

Lot
No.

Feeds

No. of
horse

First
valua-
tion

Last
valua-
tion

Increas'd
valua-
tion

Lb. in-
crease in
weight

Value per
Ib. of in-
creased wt.

Lot
1

Corn

22

25
27
30
32

$235.00
210.00
215.00
215.00
185.00

$275.00
210.00
300.00
275.00
220.00

$40 . 00

85^00
60.00
35.00

Oil meal. . . .
Clover

Av . . .! 212.00

256.00

44.00

238

18. 5c

Lot
2

Corn (%} ..
Oats (M).-
Oil meal . . .
Clover

24
28
43
46
48

235.00
200.00
235.00
225.00
200.00

290.00
255.00
250.00
275.00
280.00

55.00
55.00
15.00
50.00
80.00

Av . ..

219.00

270.00 51.00

266

19. 2c

Lot
3

Corn (yz) ..
Oats (H) .-
Oil meal. . . .
Clover .

23

35
38
42
49

240.00
210.00
185.00
235.00
215.00

235.00 -5.00
255.00 45.00
235.00 50.00
310.00 75.00
260.00 45.00

Av. ..

217.00

259.00 42.00'
j

273

15. 4c

Lot
4

Corn (4/5) .
Bran (1/5) .
Oil meal. . . .
Clover

31

34
39
44
47

225.00
225.00
225.00
225.00
185.00

265.00
270.00
265.00
275.00
250.00.

40.00
45.00
40.00
50 . 00
65.00

Av. ..

217.00

265.00

48.00

254

18. 9c

Grand

total

4325.00

5250.00 925.00

1031

Average 20 horses

216.25

262.50

46.25

257.7

18c

1909J FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET 549

upon a stationary market is given in Table 16. The table also shows
the average increased valuation per horse for the different lots, and
the average for all the lotsJ It will be seen from the above table that
the horses of lot 2 increased in valuation from the beginning to the
end of the experiment an average of $51.00, which is $3.00 more
than the horses of lot 4, $7.00 more than lot 1, and $9.00 more than
lot 3, the lot which made the largest gains. The table also shows the
increased flesh was worth 18.5c per pound in lot 1, 19.2c in lot 2,
15.4c in lot 3 and 18.9c in lot 4.

Owing to the difficulty of assigning accurate values to horses, it
must be understood that it is a very easy matter to rate some horses
a little too high and others a little too low. Because of this fact and
the small number involved in each lot, it is not safe to attach great
weight to the figures giving the value of flesh in the different lots, but
the average of all horses in the experiment is a much safer basis from
which to make computations. It will then be seen that an average of
the twenty horses increased $46.25 each, or at the rate of 18c per
pound for each pound of flesh taken on.

It will also be noticed that the horses in lot 1 were appraised
$5.00 lower per head at the beginning of the experiment than the
horses of lots 3 and 4, and $7.00 lower than the horses of lot 2. The
horses of lot 1 were somewhat smaller at the beginning of the experi-
ment than those of the other lots, which in a measure may account
for their being rated at a lower value. So far as the efficiency of the
rations in producing finish are concerned, there was but little differ-
ence in any of the lots. If there was any difference, it was in favor
of lots 2, 3 and 4 over that fed lot 1 (corn and clover hay).

ITEMIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT No. 1
(Profit per horse based on pounds of gain)

Expenditures LOT 1

To 1911.6 Ib. corn at 43c $14.68

" 30 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 40

" 2075.2 Ib. clover at $13.00. 13.49

Total cost of feed $28.57
Receipts
By 238 Ib. gain at 18c $42.84

Profit per horse $14.27

Cost per pound gain 12 cents
Expenditures LOT 2

To 1600 Ib. corn at 43c $12.29

" 533.3 Ib. oats at 35c 5.83

" 35 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 47

" 2162.3 Ib. clover at $13.00 14.05

Total cost of feed $32.64
Receipts
By 266 Ib. gain at 18c :.. $47.88

Profit per horse $15.24

Cost per pound gain 12.3 cents

550 BULLETIN No. 141 [November.

LOT 3

Expenditures

To 1077.1 Ib. corn at 43c $8.27

" 1077.1 Ib. oats at 35c 11-78

" 33.5 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 45

" 2194.1 Ib. clover at $13.00 14.26

Total cost of feed $34.76
Receipts
By 273 Ib. gain at 18c $49.14

Profit per horse $14.38

Cost per pound gain 12.7 cents

LOT 4

Expenditures

To 1807.7 Ib. corn at 43c $13.88

" 351.5 Ib. bran at $20.00 3.52

" 34.8 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 47

• " 2080.8 Ib. clover at $13.00 13.53

Total cost of feed $31.40
Receipts
By 254 Ib. gain at 18c $45.72

Profit per horse $14.32

Cost per pound gain 12.4 cents

•

The cost of feeding the horses as given in financial statement
No. 1, is based upon commercial prices of feeds at the time the experi-
ment was conducted. No charge is made for labor in caring for the
horses nor for bedding, neither is any value assigned to the manure
made by the horses. It has been assumed that the value of the
manure would be enough to offset the cost of the labor involved and
the bedding used. From this table it will be seen that lot 2 returned
slightly the largest profit, tho there is only 97 cents difference per horse
between lot 2 and lot 1, which returned the smallest profit. The cost
of feeding lot 3 was $6.19 more per horse than that of lot 1, which is
due to the use of oats in the ration of lot 3. While the ration of lot 3
cost more than that of any other lot, it also made larger gains, but
the gains were not sufficiently large to justify the high cost of the
ration. It will be noticed that the gains of lot 1 cost 12c per Ib., while
that of lot 2, 12.3c, that of lot 3, 12.7c, and lot 4, 12.4c. Stated in
another way and with the above conditions, 85 cents per bushel was
realized for the corn fed lot 1 ; 88 cents for the corn, and 50 cents for
the oats fed lot 2; 89 cents for the corn, and 51 cents for the oats fed
lot 3, and 88 cents for the corn fed lot 4. I

With varying prices of feeds Table 17 gives a summarized state-
ment of the net profit per horse and cost per pound of gain. With
moderate priced feeds (corn at 40c, oats at 32c. bran at $20.00 per ton,
oil meal at $27.00 per ton and clover hay at $8.00 per ton) it shows
that lot 2 would return the greatest profit netting $22.01, which is
$1.52 more than that of lot 1. While lot 1 would net the smallest
profit it would make gains at a cost of 9.4c per pound, which is cheaper

1909)

FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET

551

than that of any other lot. As the prices of feeds advance the cost
per pound of gain also increases, but even with very high priced feeds
the cost per pound of gain would be less and the profits greater with
lot 1 than that of any other lot.

TABLE 17.

NET PROFIT PER HORSE AND COST PER POUND OF GAIN WITH VARYING
PRICES OF FEEDS

Feeds used and at varying
prices

With
increase
gain at 18c
per Ib.

Lot 1

Lot 2

Lot 3

Lot 4

Corn
Oil meal
Clover
hay

Corn(^)
Oats (M)
Oil meal
Clover hay

Corn (Y2)
Oats (1/0
Oil meal
Clover hay

Corn (4/5)
Bran (1/5)
Oil meal
Cloverj^hay

Corn at 43 c, oats at 35c,
bran at $20.00 per ton,
oil meal at $27.00 per
ton, clover hay at $13.00
per ton

Net profit.

$14.27

$15.24

$14.38

$14.32

Cost per Ib.
of gain . .

12c

12. 3c

12. 7c

12. 4c

Corn at 40c, oats 32c, bran
$20.00 per ton, oil meal
$27.00 per ton, clover
hay $8.00 per ton

Net profit.

$20.49

$22.01

$21.45

$20.50

Cost per Ib.
of gain . .

f9.4c

9.7c

10. Ic

9.9c

Corn at 50c, oats 45c, bran
$24.00 per ton. oil meal
$30.00 per ton, clover
hay $8.00 per ton

Net profit

$17.02

$16.93

$15.10

$16.24

Cost per Ib.
of gain .

10. 8c

11. 6c

12. 5c

11. 6c

Corn at 60c, oats at 50c,
bran at $25.00 per ton,
oil meal at $32.00 per
ton, clover hay at $10.00
per ton

Net profit.

$11.51

$11.04

$ 9.26

$11.01

Cost per Ib.
of gain . .

13. 2c

13. 8c

14. 6c

13. 7c

Corn at 70c, oats at 60c,
bran at $26.00 per ton,
oil meal at $34.00 per
ton, clover hay at $12.00
per ton

Net profit.

$ 5.99

$ 4.32

$ 1.75

$ 5.48

Cost per Ib.
of gain . .

15. 5c

16. 4c

17.4c

15. 8c

Financial statement No. 2 shows what would happen with mod-
erate priced feeds and the flesh produced worth 25c per pound as in
Experiment No. 1. From the statement, it will be seen that lot 3
shows the greatest profit per horse by $3.60 more than lot 1, 12 cents
more than lot 2, and $2.47 more than lot 4. The cheapest gains would
be made in lot 1 at 9.4c per pound, and the most expensive in lot 3 at
a cost of 10. Ic per pound. The greater profit in lots 2 and 3 is due to
the greater gains made being worth 25c per pound, while the cost of
production in all the lots is very nearly the same. Where such is the
case, the farmer would receive $1.50 per bushel for his corn, and 86c
per bushel for his oats, and at the same time help maintain the fertility
of his soil by the manure produced.

552 BULLETIN No. 141 [November,

ITEMIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT No. 2

(Profit per horse based on pounds of gain)

LOT 1
Expenditures

To 1911.6 Ib. corn at 40c $13.65

" 30 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 .40

" 2075.2 Ib. clover hay at $8.00 8.30

Total cost of feed $22.35
Receipts
By 238 Ib. gain at 25c * $59.50

Profit per horse $37.15

Cost per pound gain 9.4 cents

LOT 2
Expenditures

To 1600 Ib. corn at 40c $11.42

" 533.3 *lb. oats at 32c 5.33

" 35 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 47

" 2162.3 Ib. clover hay at $8.00 8.65

Total cost of feed $25.87
Receipts
By 266 Ib gain at 25c $66.50

Profit per horse $40.63

Cost per pound gain 9.7 cents

LOT 3
Expenditures

To 1077.1 Ib. corn at 40c $ 7.69

" 1077.10 Ib. oats at 32c 10.77

" 33.5 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 45

" 2194.1 Ib. clover hay at $8.00 8.78

Total cost of feed $27.69
Receipts
By 273 Ib. gain at 25c $68.44

.$40.75

Cost per pound gain 10.1 cents

LOT 4
Expenditures

To 1807.7 Ib. corn at 40c $12.91

" 351.5 Ib. bran at $20.00 3.52

" 34.8 Ib. oil meal at $27.00 47

" 2080.8 Ib. clover hay at $8.00 8.32

Total cost of feed $25.22
Receipts
By 254 Ib. gain at 25c $63.50

Profit per horse.

Cost per pound gain 9.9 cents

1909] FLESHING HOKSKS FOR MARKKT 553

CONCLUSIONS

1. A mixed grain ration of corn and oats, when fed with clover
hay, is more efficient than a single grain ration of corn for producing
large gains in an eighty-four day feeding period.

2. While a ration of corn, oats, and clover hay is more expen-
sive with prices of feeds as stated, than one of corn and clover hay,
the gains are such as to make its use more economical.

3. Clover hay when fed with a mixed grain ration of corn and
oats is more efficient for producing gains than timothy hay. In this
test clover hay produced 58 percent more gains than timothy.

4. A ration of corn, oats and timothy is not satisfactory for
producing finish in fleshing horses for market, but may be materially
improved by the addition of oil meal.

5. Experiment No. 2 showed but little difference in the efficiency
of a ration of corn and oats where the oats fed equalled only one-
fourth the amount of corn and where the oats and corn were fed in
equal quantities by weight, with clover hay as roughage in each ration.

6. A ration of one-fourth oats and three-fourths corn proved
more economical than one of half oats and "half corn.

7. A ration of corn and bran fed in proportions of one part bran
to four parts corn by weight is superior to an all-corn ration for pro-
ducing gains when fed in conjunction with clover hay.

8. This test seemed to indicate that there is danger of feeding
too much bran for best results when clover hay furnishes the rough-
age part of the ration. The bran and clover combined produced a too
laxative condition.

9. A ration with a nutritive ratio of 1 : 10 is too wide for best
results in fleshing horses. In these tests the narrower the nutritive
ratio the larger the gains. Best results were secured with a nutritive
ratio of 1:8.

10. Exercise has a retarding effect upon the taking on of flesh.
In this test the horses receiving no exercise made 24 percent more
gains than those having a daily walk of 2.8 miles.

11. While box stalls are safer than single stalls for stabling
horses, they are also more expensive and do not offer merits not pos-
sessed by single stalls so far as they may influence the horse in taking
on flesh. The horses stabled in single stalls made 16 pounds or 8
percent more gains in 84 days than those in box stalls.

12. Thin horses of some market classes will not return as large
a profit in feeding as those of other classes. The kind of horses it will
pay best to feed depends partially upon the season of the year when
marketed. All heavy horses will pay better than light horses, and
good and choice animals better than those of the lower grades.

554

BULLETIN No. 141

[November,

PLATE 1. No. 6. BEFORE FEEDING. EXPERIMENT 1, LOT 1.

PLATE 2. \To. 6 AFTER FRKDING. EXPERIMENT 1, LOT 1

1909]

Fl.KSHING HORSHS FOR MARKKT

555

PLATE 3. No. 11. BEFORE FEEDING. EXPERIMENT 1, LOT \

PI.ATF 4 No. 11 AFTER FF.F.ruNr, EXPERIMENT 1, LOT 2.

556

BULLETIN No. 141

[November,

1909]

FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKKT

557

558

BULLETIN No. 141

[November,

1909]

FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET

559

560

BULLETIN No. 141

[November,

1909]

FLESHING HORSES FOR MARKET

561

562

BULLETIN No. 141

[November,

1909.]

AUTHOB INDEX

AUTHOR INDEX

579

PAGE

Burrill, T. J., and Barrett
J. T. , Ear rots of corn, Bull.
133 63-110

Crandall, C. S., Bordeaux mix-
ture, Bull. 135 199-296

Folsom, J. W., The insect pests
of clover and alfalfa, Bull.
134 131-198

Forbes, S. A., Experiments with
repellents against the corn
root-aphis, 1905 and 1906,
Bull. 130 1-28

Forbes, S. A., Habits and be-
havior of the corn-field ant,
Lasius niger americanus,
Bull. 131 2946

Fraser, W. J. and Brand R. E.,
Dairy suggestions from Eu-
ropean conditions as seen
in the British Isles, Hol-
land and Denmark, Bull.
140 459-522

Hume, A. N., Center, O. D.
and Hegnauer, Leonard
Methods of seeding oats,
drilling and broadcasting,
Bull. 136.. ...297-312

PAGE

Lee, C. E., Pasteurization as a
factor in making butter
from cream skimmed on the
farm, Bull. 138 369-438

Lee, C. E., and Barnhart, J. M.,
Composition of market but-
ter, Bull 139 439-458

Lee, C. E., Hepburn. N. W.,
and Barnhart, J. M., A
study of factors influenc-
ing the composition of but-
ter, Bull. 137 313-368

Mumford, H. W., and Allison,
H. O., Short fed steers, A
comparison of methods of
of feeding. Bull. 142 563-578

Obrecht, E. C., Relative effici-
ency of different rations
for fleshing horses for
market, Bull. 141 523-562

Smith, L. H.. The effect of se-
lection upon certain physi-
cal characters of the corn
plant, Bull. 132 ...47-62

580

INDEX

INDEX

[November,

(2'/ie headings in capitals are the subjects of entire bulletins)

PAGE

Agricultural shows 481-4

Alcohol, Treatment of seed

corn with 11,15

Allograpta obliqua — ... 14T-8

Aphidius 151-2

Bacteria on corn. 91-2

Bordeaux- arsenate of lead com-
bination, further trial of

280-2

BORDEAUX MIXTURE.. 199-296'

Adhesiveness 217-9

Changes occurring in 248-9

Chemistry of 215-7

Conclusions 292-6

Copper, solution of, in 223-8

Discovery of 205-7

Experiments, reports on

253-73

Formulas 207-10

Fungicidal action of 233-4

In glass dishes 250-1

Injuries to foliage 220

Introduction of, in the

United States 208-10

Making 211-5

Materials for 210-17,288-90

On foliage of apple trees in

pots 25-1-2

Problem of solubility of the

copper of 249-50

British Isles, Dairying in... 462-80

England 462-8

Ireland 469-71

Scotland 472-80

Bruchophagus funebris 125-33

BUTTER, A STUDY OF FAC-
TORS INFLUENCING
THE COMPOSITION OF

(with tables) 313-68

BUTTER, COMPOSITION
OF MARKET (with

tables) 439-58

Illinois 443,450-1

PAGE

Iowa 444-5,451-2

Minnesota 445-7 ,452

Wisconsin ...447-9,452

Butter, Composition of

Changes in, made by each

revolution in working 320-2

From cream, pasteurized

and un pasteurized 324-9

Half-worked and .worked

....319-20

Influenced by time cream
is held at churning tem-
perature 323-4

Made in two different

churns 322-3

Salting, Influence of dry
and wet, upon 331-2

Butter fat churned and recover-
ed in the butter. , 352-8

Butter in Holland 501

Butter samples, analysis of, ac-
cording io states

Illinois 443

Iowa 444-5

Location unknown 449

Minnesota.. 445-7

Wisconsin 447-9

Butter, sampling 316-9,441

Callipterus, trifolii . , 175-8

Description 175-6

Life history 177-8

Carbolic acid, treatment of
seed corn with 11,15

Carbon bisulphid, treatment
of seed corn with 13

Carbonated water, action of
' 282-8

Cheese and butter in Holland
498-501

Chlorid of lime, treatment of
seed corn with 12

Chrysopidae 145, 149-51

1909.]

INDEX

581

PAGE

Clover

Callipeterus 175-8

Hay-worm 168-71

Leaf-midge 171-5

Leaf-weevil 114, 117,155-64

Louse 117,138-54

Root borer 114,164-8

Root mealy-bug 189-95

Seed-Caterpillar 114,133-7

Seed-chalcid 114,125-33

Seed-midge 114,118-25

Sitones flavescens . . 184-9

Steam-borer 178-84

Clover seed crop, failure of the

: .115-7

Coccinellae 145-6

Copper, accumulation of, in

the soil 219-20

Fungicidal action of, dis-
covery of 204-5

Not absorbed thru trunk

and branches 237-8

Penetration of, into leaf

tissues 228-33

Solubility of, influence of
lime in excess on the — 275-7
bordeaux mixture on

leaves 249-50

under influence of long
continued moist con-
ditions 290-2

Solution of, in bordeaux

mixture 223-8

Sulphate 210,219-20

Injection of 240-2

Solution absorbed hurt

wounds 238-40

Treatment of seed corn

with 13

CORN, EAR ROTS OF 63-110

Bacteria 91-2

Causes .. 70-2

Diplodia zeae 65,66,71,

72,73-85

Fusarium, species of ...65,66,72,85-91
History and synonomy ...94-6

Injury, amount of 69-70

Observations, general. . . .65-9
Plates and description of. .97-109

PAGE

Prevention 92-4

Corn, Injury to, by ants 41-2

Learning 51

Plates '....54-5,59,62

CORN PLANT, THE EFFECT
OF SELECTION UPON
CERTAIN PHYSICAL
CHARACTERS IN THE
(with plates) 47-62

CORN ROOT-APHIS, EX-
PERIMENTS WITH RE-
PELLENTS AGAINST

THE, 1905 AND 1906 1-28

Agency for destruction of .3-4
Corn-field experiment,' A,

1906 15-23

Destructive ability of the.. .3
Fields, comparison of in-
fested 23-4

Minor test 24.5

Plot experiments 5-15

Prevention, general pro-
gram of 26-8

Repellent applications to
the seed 4-5

Corn, effect of selection of, on

maturity 56

yield 56-7

CORN-FIELD ANT, LASIUS
NIGER AMERICANUS,
HABITS AND BEHAV-
IOR OF THE 29-48

Colony, area occupied by

a single 37-8

Beginning of a new 32-4

Size of 34-5

Effect of change of crop. . .42-4
Hostilities, intercolonial . .35-7

Injury to corn by 41-2

Nests, adapation of, to

changing conditions 40-1

Behavior within the 38-40

Contents of 31-2

Plate 45

Relation to other species.. 38

Corn-field experiment, A, 1906

15-25

Description of • • • 16-8

582

INDEX

[November,

PAGE

Results of 18-23

Cow stables, Holland 493-6

Cow testing association 514

Dairy cattle

Denmark 510-1

England 464

Holland 489-91

Ireland 469-70

Scotland 474-6

DAIRY SUGGESTIONS FROM
EUROPEAN CONDI-
TIONS -AS SEEN IN THE
BRITISH ISLES, HOL-
LAND AND DENMARK

459-522

Dairying in the British Isles

England 462-8

Ireland 469-71

Scotland 472-80

Dairying in Denmark 503-20

Dairying in Holland 485-502

Dasyneura leguminicola 118-25

Dasyneura trifolii 171-5

Denmark

City milk supply 515-6

Cow testing association. . . .514

Dairy cattle 510-1

Farm buildings 507-9

management 504-6

Feed and care 511-4

Manufactured products. . .516-8
What we may learn from

519-20

Diplodia zeae 73-85

Effects of acid and alkalin

media 78-80

Growth in culture 76-8

History 94-6

Inoculation experiments... 83-5

Life history on ears 73-4

stalks 74-6

Spores, distribution of, by

wind. 81-3

Germination of 80-1

Ear rots

Appearance 65-6

Causes . . . .• 70-2

Influence of locality, soil

etc 67

Prevention 92-4

Seasonal occurrence. ... 66-7

PAGE

Ears, (corn)

Erect and declining 57-62

High and low 51-7

Enarmonia interstinctana 133-7

England

City milk supply 466-8

Farm buildings 466

management 462-4

Feed and care 465-6

Live stock 464

Manufactured 468

Farm buildings

Denmark 507-9

England 466

Holland 493-6

Scotland 477-8

Farm management

Denmark 504-6

England 462-4

Holland 487-9

Ireland 469-71

Scotland 477

Feed and care of dairy cattle

Denmark 511-4

England 654-6

Holland 491-2

Ireland 469-71

Scotland 477

Feed lots and equipment 566-8

Feeds, quality and cost of 568

Foliage, condition of, of trees

sprayed with lime 277-80

Injuries to 220

Foliage injury, The relation of

meteoric waters to 242-92

Formalin, treatment of oats 311

Formalin, treatment of seed

corn with 11-15

Formica schaufussi . .38

Fungi 71-72-221

Fungicides ...204

Fusarium, species of 85-91

• Appearance in culture on

the ears 86-7-89-91

stalks 86

Germination of spores — 87-90
Growth in various media — 88

Hay-worm, clover 1 14-168-71

Control 170-1

Injury 168-9

Life history and habits.. 169-70
Stages 169

1909.]

INDEX

583

PAGE

Hylastinus obscurus 164- 8

Holland —

City milk supply 496-8

Cheese and butter 498-501

Cow stab'es 493-6

Dairy cattle 489-91

Farm management ...... .487-9

Feed and care 491-2

Horses

Box stall, Effect of 547

Exercise, Effect of 546-7

Feeding, methods of. ..528-9-540

Preliminary 527-8-540

Feeds, Quality and cost of

- 529-541

Health and thrift of 529-

34-541-60

Kations, Effect of 534-8

Fed to 528-9-540

Stabling 527-539

Used in experiments. .527-539-40
Watering 527-539

Hypsopygia costalis 168-71

INSECT PESTS OF CLOVER
AND ALFALFA, THE
(with plates)... 111-98

Insects, Control of clover

117-8-123-132-3-137

..153-4-164-^67-184-188

Injury to clover by 113-5-
125-7-133-4

Ireland 469-71

Iron sulphate, Treatment of

seed corn with 13

Kainit, Treatment of seed corn

with 12

Kerosene, Treatment of seed

corn with 4-5-6-8-9-10-14

Kerosene emulsion, Treatment

of seed corn with 5-6-7-8

Languria mozardi 178-89

Lanius alienus americanus 3-29-49

Leaf-midge 171-5

Food plants 171-2

Habits.. 173-5

Life history 173

Stages 172-3

Leaf-weevil 114, 117, 155-64

Control 164

Description 156-8

PAGE

Distribution 155

Enemies, natural 162-3

Food plants and injuries. .155-6

Habits 160-2

Life history 158.60

Leaves, burning or brown spot-
ting of 220-3

Solubility of the copper
of bordeaux mixture on

...249-50

Yellowing of . ...234-7, 240-2
Lime, air-slacked, Bordeaux

made with 210-1, 288-90

Chlorid of, treatment of

seed corn with 12

Condition of foliage trees

sprayed with .278-80

Influence of, in excess on
the solubility of copper-

275 7

Maintaining of excess of. .273-5
Lime, sulphur and salt, treat-
ment of seed corn with 12

Lineellus 189

Live stock, England 464

London purple , 203-4

Louse, clover 117, 138-54

Control 153-4

Description 141

Enemies, natural 144-52

Food plants andinjuries.. 138-40

Habits 143-4

Life history 144-5

Lysol, treatment of seed corn

with 11-2, 15

Macrocheles nicestus 40

Macrosiphum pisi 138-54

Manufactured products of the
dairy

Denmark 516-8

England 468

Holland 498-501

Ireland 470

Scotland 478-9

Mealy-bug, clover-root 189-95

Habits ....194-5

Life history 193 4

Stages 190-3

Mesogramma marginatum 148

Mesogramma politum 148

Meteoric waters 226, 228, 242-8

584

INDEX

[November.

PAGE

Milk supply, city

Denmark.. 515-6

England 466-8

Holland 496-8

Scotland 478

Musk, treatment of seed corn

with 13

Mustard, treatment of seed

corn with 13

OATS, METHODS OF SEED-
ING, DRILLING AND

BROADCASTING 297-312

Conclusions 309-10

Cost .. 307

Experiments at DeKalb.. 303-4

Sibley -..305-6

Urbana 301-2

Results from other sources

307-8

Oats, treatment of, for smut

311-2

Oil of lemon, treatment of

seed corn with 10,14

Oils, other vegetable 10-1

Paris green 203-4

PASTEURIZATION AS A
FACTOR IN MAKING
BUTTER FROM CREAM
SKIMMED ON THE
" FARM (with tables). . . .367-438
Pea-louse (see clover-louse)

Perilitus americanus 146-7

Peronospora viticola 204,205-6

Petroleum, crude, treatment

of seed corn with 10,14

Phytonomus punctatus ... — 155-64

Pseudococcus trijolii 189-95

RATIONS FOR FLESHING
HORSES FOR MARKET,
RELATIVE EFFICIENCY
OF DIFFERENT (with

plates) 523-62

Root-borer, clover 114,164-8

Control 167

Distribution 165-6

Life history and habits. . . 166-7

Stages 166

Schizoneura panicola 42,43

Scotch dairying, high points

in 479-80

Scotland

City milk supply 478

PAGE

Dairy cattle 474-6

Farm buildings 477-8

management 472-4

Feed and care 477

Manufactured products... 478-9
Seed crop, the failure of the

115-7

Seed, repellent application to

the 4-5

Seed-caterpillar 114,133-7

Control 137

Distribution 133

Enemies, natural 137

Food plants and injuries. .133-4

Habits 136

Life history 135-6

Stages 134-5

Seed chalcid 114,125-33

Control 132-3

Distribution 125

Enemies, natural ..... . . .131-2

Food plants 125

Habits 130-1

Injury 125-7

Life history 127-30

Seed corn, treated with alco-
hol 11, 15

Carbolic acid 11, 15

carbon bisulphid 13

chlbrid of lime 12

copper sulphate 13

formalin 11, 15

iron sulphate 13

kainit 12

kerosene... 4, 5,6, 8,9-10, 14
kerosene emulsion — 6-7, 8
lime, sulphur and salt — 12

lysol 11-2, 15

miscellaneous substances

... 13-4

musk 13

mustard 13

oil of lemon 10, 14

other vegetable oils.. .101,14

petroleum 10, 14

tar water 7, 8

tobacco water 13

turpentine 7, 8

Seed-midge 114, 118-25

Control 123

Description 119-20

Distribution -. 118

1909.]

INDEX

585

PAGE

Enemies, natural 122-3

Food plants 118-9

Habits 121.2

Life history 120.1

Sitones flavescens 184-9

Control 188

Food plants and injuries. .185-6

Life history 186.8

Other species 188

Stages 186

Smut, treatment of oats for. .311-2

Spraying as cause of browning
or burning of leaves 222-3

Steers, marketing 571-4

Method of feeding 568-71

STEERS, SHORT FED, A
COMPARISON OF ME-
THODS OF FEEDING
(with plates) 563-78

Stem-borer 178-84

Control 184

Distribution 178

Enemies, natural 183

Food plants 178.9

PAGE

Habits 182-3

Injury 179-80

Life history 181-2

Stages 180

Syrphidae 147

Syrphus americanus 148

Syrphus ribesii 148

Tar water, treatment of seed

corn with 7,8

Tobacco water, treatment of

seed corn with 13

Trees, comparison of, subject-
ed to rain with trees spray-
ed with cistern water — 270-3
Condition of foliage of,

sprayed with lime 278-80

Covered and uncovered. . .242-8
Field experiments with

sprayed, in 1906 253-63

1907 264-70

Triphleps insidiosus 151

Turpentine, treatment of seed

corn with 7,8

Uncinula spiralis 204

.>.*--