57 



oil). It is not believed that when fed in moderation they will 

 impart an unpleasant flavor to either flesh or eggs. They should 

 form a desirable source of protein for poultry. They are particu- 

 larly rich in mineral matter, being composed almost entirely of 

 proteids and bone, and are quite free from fat. 



Alfalfa meal is used extensively in the feeding 

 Alfalfa Meals. of poultry both as a substitute for green feed 

 Page 38. during the winter months and in the ration of 



fowls not kept on range. Its indiscriminate use 

 in mashes or in the poultry ration cannot be considered economical 

 at prevailing prices. During the summer months especially, 

 other sources of green feed are to be found that efl'ect a considerable 

 saving. 



The alfalfa meals collected varied widely in composition. 

 The best sample collected was the so-called "Chickalfa", an es- 

 pecially prepared product free from the tough woody stems. This 

 sample contained a very high percentage of protein and a corres- 

 pondingly low percentage of crude fiber. 



There is probably no branch of the feed busi- 



Poultry Mashes ness that yields better returns than the prepar- 



and Meals. ation and sale of poultry mashes as evidenced 



Pages 39-44. by the collection of over 50 brands by the 



inspector. It would certainly prove economi- 

 cal for the large consumer to purchase the individual feeding stuffs 

 that he considers necessary to give the best results and to mix the 

 mash at home, rather than to depend upon the ready-to-use 

 mashes for which he must pay a price considerably in advance of 

 that asked for their several components. An extra advantage in 

 home mixing is the fact that the poultryman will be able to vary 

 his ration according to the season, and at times substitute for the 

 more expensive alfalfa and meat scraps other material at a consid- 

 erable saving in cost. The average price asked for the prepared 

 mashes was $2.05 a hundred. It is believed, at the average prices 

 prevailing during the past season, that fully as satisfactory a home- 

 mixed m.ash could have been produced at a saving of at least 25 

 cents a hundred. 



FEEDING STUFFS DEFINITIONS. 



The following definitions for commercial feeding stuffs have 

 been adopted by the Association of Feed Control Officials, a na- 

 tional organization whose membership includes practically all of 

 the officials engaged in feeding stuffs control. While it is believed 

 that these definitions are in the main correct, changes are possible 

 in the light of further investigation. 



