July 23, 1917 Effect on Growth and Reproduction of Rations 



191 



The corn-alfalfa ration consisted of 5 pounds of com grain, 2 pounds 

 of gluten feed, 3 pounds of wheat straw, 3 pounds of alfalfa. 



Table IX. — Records of reproduction and milk secretion on a wheat-alfalfa ration 



These records with com plus wheat straw plus alfalfa show how per- 

 fect the ration becomes through the introduction of a natural food 

 material which carries a better mineral content, as illustrated by the 

 substitution of alfalfa hay, with a high mineral content, for wheat straw, 

 with its low mineral supply. 



Where the wheat-grain and alfalfa ration was used, the first gestation 

 was fairly successful. Both calves were strong and would have lived 

 independent of the attendant's care. The front legs of the calf of No. 

 636 were weak. 



In the second gestation period, however, the calf of No. 648 was 

 particularly weak in the forelegs and for a period of two to three weeks 

 stood on the first joints. The calf was also blind. It gradually grew 

 strong, but remained permanently blind. This is another illustration of 

 the ciimulative effect of the toxicity of the wheat grain. It explains how 

 successfully one may use the whole wheat in a ration carrying a good 

 roughage, or even in such cases how failure may result if the individual 

 mothers are not vigorous and strong or the wheat grain continued in 

 successive gestation periods. It further illustrates the principle that the 

 corrective agents introduced by the ah'alfa were better ash, a different 

 and slightly higher protein level, and more of fat-soluble A ; it illustrates 

 and emphasizes what profound influences the proper adjustment of the 

 normal factors of nutrition may have on the well-being and the increased 

 resisting powers of the individual even in the presence of the abnormal 

 factor toxicity. Plates 31, and 32, A-D, illustrate the results with both 

 com plus wheat-straw plus alfalfa, and wheat plus wheat-straw plus 

 alfalfa rations. 



