320 PRODUCTIVE FARMING 



of feed, and a little variety in the ration. It should be 

 changed gradually and not all at once. 



Exercise. ^ — Palatability of Feeds. — Let the older pupils 

 report as to which of the following feeds are liked best by 

 stock: clover, alfalfa or timothy hay by cows; turnips or car- 

 rots by horses; bright clean corn or mouldy corn by horses. 



Problems. — 1. What is the cost of protein per pound in 

 clover hay containing 6 per cent protein when the hay is 

 valued at $10 per ton? 



2. What is the cost of protein in timothy hay contain- 

 ing 3 per cent protein when the hay is worth $18 per ton? 



3. Which hay is better for dairy cows? 



Buying Feeds. — ^A farmer often finds it very advisable 

 to sell some of the wheat or other grain and buy instead 

 mill feeds and other by-products. It is well to select those 

 mill feeds which are rich in protein to mix with the farm 

 roughage and corn. This will make it easier to balance the 

 rations for the different kinds of stock. 



Some roughage may be sold or exchanged for the desired 

 concentrates. Timothy hay brings a good price in the mar- 

 kets, but is very poor form of roughage hay to keep on the 

 farm to feed to dairy cows. Clover hay is far better for cows 

 and yet the market price is much lower. 



In deciding which feeds to purchase it is well to decide the 

 cost per pound of protein contained in each feed considered. 



Problem. — Figure the cost per pound of protein in each 

 of the following concentrates when the prices per ton are 

 as follows: Cottonseed meal, $33; linseed meal, old proc- 

 ess, $32; brewers^ grains, dry, $27; wheat bran, $25; wheat 

 middhngs, $30; cornmeal, $32. (See the protein contents 

 Table of Feeds in the Appendix.) 



Fertilizing value of feeds is a thing to be considered in all 

 feeds. When farmers buy feeds they may well consider that 

 they are buying fertility for the farm. It is usually better 

 to buy mill feeds for farm stock than to buy commercial 

 fertilizers. Such feeds are often rich in available organic 



