128 AGRICULTURE 01^ MAINE. 



molasses feeds so-called, sold under varying name.--. Feeding 

 cxDeriments with these goods have shown them to be fairly 

 economical. They should not, however, be purchased as a 

 source of protein as they carry only about as much as mixed 

 feed — 15 to 16 per cent. Feeders who find it necessary to pur- 

 chase nearly all their feed may find these molasses feeds 

 economical to use in place of bran or mixed feed. The chief 

 objection to them is found in the material which is used to 

 absorb the molasses, namely, screenings and elevator chatf Avhich 

 contains large amounts of weed seeds. The best manufacturers 

 now claim to kill all the seeds by heat before mixing. Malt 

 sprouts, cottonseed meal and other concentrates are used to 

 bring up the protein. 



Some other ready mixed rations like the Union Grains or 

 Biles Ready Ration are on the market, but are not sold very 

 extensively. These feeds are well balanced and made of good 

 material but cost more than the unmixed goods usually. 



WHAT CONCENTRATED FEEDS ARE MOST ECONOMICAL TO BUY? 



Having considered briefly the nature of the concentrated 

 feeds on the market we now come to the practical side of the 

 question which most interests the dairyman — What are the 

 most economical feeds to purchase ^ 



As a general rule the most concentrated feeds furnish the 

 various nutrients for the least money. That is, to illustrate, 

 if one is buying protein it will cost in cottonseed meal at present 

 prices about 4 cents per pound, in linseed meal 4.5 cents per 

 pound, in distillers' grains about 5.6 cents, in wheat bran about 

 8.5 cents. In these you see we can get protein in cottonseed 

 meal and linseed meal for about lialf what it costs in wheat 

 bran. 



This same is true in the case of carbohydrate material. Corn 

 meal, which is the richest feed in this class of nutrients, carry- 

 ing about 72 per cent, furnishes them most cheaply, even at its 

 present high price, of any of the grains. If we are feeding 

 growing animals and ash material is wanted we should look to 

 the grain that carries the most good ash, wheat bran. Individ- 

 ually, however, this is a question every man must decide for 

 himself after taking into consideration what he has on hand 



