No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 771 



start out, or else there was no use in trying to organize a fair. You 

 cannot organize a fair on hot air. It has got to have something 

 behind it. We want your help, and we must have it. There is no 

 strength in one man. It is the united effort of us all that will do the 

 work. 



THE FEEDING OF ANIMALS. 



By PROF. J. L. HILLS, of Vermont. 



Yesterday afternoon I held in my hand a sort of blunderbuss with 

 which I tried to sweep the whole horizon; to-day I have a rifle in my 

 hand, and will address my talk at a single specific proposition — the 

 feeding of animals. 



That is an old story to the farmer. Animals have been fed from 

 the time of the flood. For several generations this matter has been 

 discussed before farmer audiences. Why should it need rediscus- 

 sion? For two or three reasons: In the first place, there are many 

 who fail to comprehend the fundamental principles; and in the 

 second place, because this, as every other thing has vexed human 

 endeavor in this year of our Lord. 



I shall divide my talk into two parts. In fact, it will resemble 

 somewhat a custard pie. There will be a sub-stratum, more or less 

 undigestible; then it will have the superstructure of the custard 

 which is much more digestible, and more palatable. So if those of 

 you who do not care for the straight practicalities will go to sleep I 

 will try to wake you up for the custard part of it. 



Up to a comparatively few years ago the science of chemistry has 

 been appealed to more particularly in this matter of stock feeding. 

 We thought of protein and carbo-hydrates, we thought in terms of 

 matter. Of late years another science, that of physics, has been 

 brought into view, and we are discussing this matter to-day quite as 

 much from the standpoint of energy, or force, as from the standpoint 

 of matter. Now, to many people this second line of reasoning is not 

 as clear as the first, and there are those who say: "We have learned 

 what protein is, we have some conception of what carbo-hydrates are, 

 why upset that? Why not lay your stress on those things, and why 

 talk about energy. Why go into this matter from another stand- 

 point? Let us lay emphasis on this thing we do know." There is 

 some justice about that. On the other hand I believe it is well 

 worth while to view these things from different standpoints. Take 

 for instance, the cow. A man who is going to judge that animal 

 does not look at her from the front only and observe her head, 

 whether she has crumpled horns or not; doesn't observe her shape 

 from there. He goes all around, front and rear, and views from 

 every standpoint. In my judgment there is much to be gained by 

 viewing this stork proposition from the dual standpoint of matter 

 and of energy. Our animals, be they of the human or brute creation, 

 are the most wonderful chemical engines devised. There is not one 

 of these magnificent inventors of Pittsburg or Philadelphia that will 

 ever match the Creator in the matter of the making of an engine. 



