242 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



gin with and putting the stock through the fattening process 

 here. 



The successful feeding of farm animals is never the result 

 of accident. It is the outcome of giving food and care more 

 or less in conformity with the leading principles that govern 

 such work. The measure of the success will be the measure 

 of the fidelity with which these principles have been observed. 

 True, the individual who thus succeeds may not be able to 

 formulate those principles, but he unconsciously follows them 

 all the same, or success would not crown his efforts. In the 

 absence of formulated principles the individual must learn from 

 the experience of some one else ; in their presence he has a safe 

 guide, in the absence of experience, although experience is 

 necessary to enable him to apply them in the most successful 

 manner. 



The following are chief among the leading principles that 

 govern the successful rearing and feeding of farm animals : — 



1. They must possess quality before they can be fed and 

 reared with marked success. 



2. More food is required to make a given gain as the birth 

 period is receded from. 



3. When periods of stagnation occur before maturity, the 

 food of maintenance, fed during such periods, brings little or 

 no return. 



4. When development is seriously arrested at any period 

 before its completion, the feeding quality of the animal is af- 

 fected adversely. 



5. When development is unduly forced by stimulating 

 foods while the animal is young, its feeding qualities are in- 

 jured. 



6. In the fattening process, when animals are so ripened 

 that they cease to make good gains, further feeding can only 

 be done at a loss. 



7. In selecting a ration for feeding, a due regard must be 

 had to the chemical constituents of the food or foods which 

 compose it. 



8. In nearly all instances a mixed diet is superior to one 

 composed of any one food, 



9. In fattening animals the profit or loss resulting is 

 largely influenced by the cost of the animals up to the time 

 when the fattening begins. 



