366 THE FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



differences in the efficiency of a unit of digestible matter. 

 It seems to be agreed that a wide nutritive ratio is not 

 inconsistent with most successful feeding of fattening 

 steers, especially those that are mature. If the animals 

 are so young as to be making material growth, there is 

 more reason for avoiding a very wide ratio. 



463. Practical feeding experiments in fattening ani- 

 mals. Among the practical feeding experiments con- 

 ducted in the United States, there are several instances 

 where the wide-ratio rations have been found equal to 

 the more nitrogenous. On the other hand, and perhaps 

 in a majority of experiments, the rations containing the 

 largest proportion of protein have caused the most rapid 

 growth. In 1893 the writer made a careful study of many 

 previous experiments and found that the addition of some 

 highly nitrogenous feeding-stuff to corn meal, or other 

 home-raised grain, in most instances increased the pro- 

 ductive value of the ration. This fact stands in apparent 

 conflict with the more scientific conclusions to which 

 reference has been made. The probable explanation of 

 this discrepancy is that the rations richest in protein 

 have generally contained the greater variety of feeding- 

 stuffs, have been more palatable, more stimulating to 

 the appetite, and, in general, have caused a more vigorous 

 exercise of the animal's functions. The proportion of 

 protein has probably been a minor factor. If as great a 

 variety of as palatable and as easily digestible materials 

 can be fed without the use of highly nitrogenous feeding- 

 stuffs as with them, the result will doubtless be just as 

 favorable. This means that a mixture of home-raised 

 grains may form as efficient a ration for fairly mature 

 fattening steers as when the oil meals or gluten meals 

 are introduced. Palatableness, variety, and ease of 



