206 ELEMENTARY TREATISE ON STOCK FEEDS AND FEEDING 



Alfalfa was the principle roughage used in the western ra- 

 tions which accounts for the narrow nutritive ratio. 



Dr. Woll gives the average nutritive ratio for 128 herds from 

 the different sections of the United States and Canada as: 



AMERICAN STANDARD RATION FOR DAIRY Cows. 



As previously stated the width of a profitable dairy ration 

 depends upon the cost of the feeds locally. In some sections 

 wider or narrower rations than the above may be best for cer- 

 tain conditions. The feeds that go to make up a ration are 

 influenced by market prices of those that are available. Hence 

 it is impossible to state the best ration for dairy cows. The 

 nutritive ratio of most of the dairy rations fed in America is 

 much wider than the Wolff standard given in Table II. From 

 the foregoing data the student should experience little trouble 

 in selecting feeds and compounding a ration suitable to the con- 

 ditions of his home. 



Suggestion : Is there any objection to feeding a ration to a 

 milch cow composed of linseed meal, wheat bran, gluten feed 

 and alfalfa hay? Require the students to make a list of the 

 available feeds in the locality; their prices; and require them 

 to compute the cheapest rations possible for milch cows. 



Have one of the students explain the construction of a silo, 

 the way the crop is prepared for siloing and the appearance of 

 the silage after it has been in the silo for some time. Examine 

 some silage and allow the students to taste it. If there is a 

 silo in the vicinity a trip to it may prove profitable. 



