The Question Box. 45 



Question. — What is the value of gluten, compared with corn 

 meal and other foods ? 



Mr. Smith. — Gluten meal contains four times as much protein 

 as does corn meal, although it is a product of corn. But, in pre- 

 paring it all the starch of the corn has been taken out. But, do 

 not figure gluten fe'ed and gluten meal alike. There is about 10 

 per cent, more value in the meal than in the feed, which is in its 

 protein. Corn meal produces fat, and balances the protein when 

 properly combined with it. Wheat bran is probably the best and 

 most profitable to use as a protein food for young and growing 

 animals, because it builds up the bone structure and furnishes blood 

 and muscle. Prices govern as between it and other protein foods. 



Question. — Which contains the most feeding value, oats or 

 beets ? 



Mr. Smith. — Beets contain more than 98 per cent, of water. 

 Their value consists in their succulence. We like an apple because 

 of its flavor and water. Oats contain but little water, so that there 

 is but very little comparison between the two. Experiments at 

 Cornell University in feeding beet pulp to steers showed that when 

 such pulp was in good condition (if the farmer had nothing else 

 of a succulent nature) it was worth about half as much as corn 

 ensilage. If he had other like foods, the pulp was worth very 

 little. If ensilage was worth, therefore, $2 per ton, the pulp would 

 be worth $1, provided the farmer did not have any ensilage. I 

 understand that some farmers have paid as much as $3.50 per ton 

 for the pulp delivered, which is fully $2.50 too much. 



Question. — ■ What is your opinion of oats for spring pasture ? 



Mr. Smith. — Who of you has tried oats for pasture ? 



A Farmer. — I have, but don't like them. 



Mr. Smith. — Some farmers sow rye in the fall, which is pas- 

 tured off in the spring, then plowed under. Good results are re- 

 ported. I don't know about oats for like purpose. 



Mr. Lillie. — Prof. Shaw of Minnesota, has experimented with 

 oats for such a purpose. He reported good results. 



A Farmer. — How would it answer to grind beans and oats and 

 mix the two ? 



Mr. Smith. — I do not know why such a mixture would not make 

 a good protein food. 



Dr. Smead. — We must first take into consideration the palata- 

 bility of a food. Peas are much better than beans because they 

 contain more protein and are more palatable. There is something 

 in the bean that makes it distasteful to the cow. 



