FEEDING GROWING ANIMALS 



349 



TABLE LXXV. 



PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OF TOTAL DRESSED 

 CARCASSES OF THE STEERS 



The amount of growth was at first more rapid with 

 the more nitrogenous ration, but the kind of growth 

 appeared to have been controlled by the somewhat fixed 

 constitutional habits of the breed. Nevertheless, the 

 evidence of all well-conducted experiments and of all 

 experience is unanimous in emphasizing the necessity of 

 supplying in the food of young animals an abundance of 

 those nutrients which are needed for the building of 

 bone and muscle. A satisfactory development of the 

 organism at maturity is insured only when the early 

 growth is liberal and uniform, and is such as to produce 

 strong bone and a vigorous muscular system. More 

 than this, there is induced by proper nourishment a 

 lively temperament of energy of body, which chemical 

 analysis cannot search out or measure, but which gives 

 the chief value to certain classes of animals and is desira- 

 ble in all. It is believed that this condition of strong 

 vitality is promoted by a liberal supply of the proteins 

 in the food. 



447. Estimated energy requirements for one pound 

 of gain in weight by growing cattle and sheep. Armsby 



