CHAPTER XII 



^/T is not possible within the limits of a single 

 ^1 chapter to present a treatise on animal nutrition. 

 v£/ No attempt is made to discuss the many interest- 

 ing and important scientific principles which 

 form the basis of the rational feeding of animals, be- 

 yond those problems which are intimately related to 

 the proper and profitable utilization of the corn plant. 

 In no case is it possible or indeed advisable to attempt 

 to set down fixed rules or definite directions for the 

 guidance of the feeder. Local and varying conditions 

 with reference to the abundance, convenience and 

 cheapness of certain classes of foodstuffs ; the class, 

 quality and value of the animal product sought to be 

 produced ; the convenience to market, etc, are impor- 

 tant and usually determining factors to which it would 

 be impossible to make a general adjustment of any set 

 of fixed rules. 



Corn is the great American stock food. No other 

 plant compares with it in its wide and general distri- 

 bution, in the ease, certainty and cheapness with which 

 it may be produced ; in the yield of valuable food ma- 

 terial per acre ; and in the close relation it bears to 

 the development of the live stock interests of the 

 country. Every state in the Union, excepting Ari- 

 zona, Idaho and Nevada, is reported as growing corn 

 commercially. Where corn is grown extensively, there 

 the live stock interests are extensively developed and 

 prosperous. A corn center is synonymous with a live 

 stock center, and the geographical distribution of corn 

 production is in a general way an index to the dis- 



