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FEEDING: ITS EFFECT ON GROWTH AND 

 EGG PRODUCTION. 



BY AY. T. TJIOMPSON. 



TJie relation of food to growth and production has ever been 

 a most interesting subject for specnhition and experiment ; not 

 alone to fish culturists or to the present generation, but to all 

 mankind and throughout all ages this problem, in its broadt-r 

 sense, has appealed to each indiYidual in a peculiarly personal 

 way. The farmer studies his soil, what food will best promote the 

 growth of his crops, and enable him to reap the largest harvest 

 from his fields. The stockman, that lie may produce the best 

 quality of beef, mutton or pork in the shortest time, and with the 

 largest margin of ]u-ofit. It is a subject pregnant with interest 

 to the gardener and the horticulturist. It appeals to the ma- 

 chinist and engine driver, Avhat fuel will produce the most power 

 at the least expense? It is not absent from one single vocation. 

 It is a strongly pertinent query even in the home life, what foods 

 or combination of foods will promote the best growth and de- 

 velopment of the children; preserve the health and strength of 

 the adults; prolong the period of productiveness and usefulness 

 in the bread-winners? 



In the earliest dawn of history, we read of families, tribes 

 and even nations, migrating from place to place to secure better 

 and more abundant pasturage for their flocks and herds, there- 

 by increasing their own food supply. This was one of the very 

 first questions man was called on to grapple Avith. It still ])re- 

 sents a splendid field for investigation and experiment. At no 

 time has it receiA'ed a larger share of attention than it does to- 

 day. Scientists and chemists of the highest order are giving this 

 food problem their closest attention. The question of consti- 

 tuents, proportion, amount, ease of assimilation, etc., is still 

 puzzling the Avisest minds. 



^[y oAvn study has not been limited to the circumscril)ed area 

 iiu-luded by my topic. It has been my privilege and pleasure to 

 consider it in its broader relations to animal and plant life gen- 



