192 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



By comparing the fiber guarantee with the fiber content of well-known 

 unmixed concentrates, as given in Appendix Table I, one may estimate 

 the extent to which such refuse as oat hulls and ground corn cobs have 

 been added. Such materials, high in fiber, furnish little nutriment, tho 

 they may give bulk to an otherwise heavy mixture. Before buying mixed 

 feeds, the wise feeder will compare the amount of nutrients he can 

 secure for each dollar in these feeds and in grains and the unmixed 

 standard by-products. 



IV. COMMERCIAL FEEDING STUFFS CONTROL 



Because it is often impossible for the stockman to tell from the ap- 

 pearance of a commercial feed whether it is of standard quality or has 

 been adulterated, laws have been enacted to protect honest dealers and 

 manufacturers and the users of commercial feeds alike. 



289. Regulation of commercial feeds. Most of the states now have laws 

 which require that each package of concentrated feed bear a label, tag, 

 or statement giving the percentages of crude protein and fat the feed 

 contains. Some states wisely require that the maximum amount of fiber 

 be guaranteed. (This means that the feed must not contain more fiber 

 than the guarantee states.) In others all ingredients in mixed feeds 

 must be stated. From time to time the officials entrusted with feed 

 supervision issue bulletins setting forth the results of examinations, 

 analyses, etc. All stockmen purchasing commercial feeds should secure 

 and consult these bulletins, in order to post themselves concerning the 

 reliability of the various concerns offering feed for sale in their district. 

 They should also support the officials in the enforcement of the feed- 

 control laws, which are vital to their interests, by promptly reporting 

 any infringements which come to their attention. 



Users of purchased feeds in large quantity are generally experienced 

 and buy only the better grades of standard feeding stuffs at close 

 prices, or secure such materials as screenings^ etc., at low prices, fully 

 understanding their composition and relative value. The small buyer, 

 often feeling the pinch of poverty, too frequently is looking for feed 

 that sells for less than is asked for standard goods, and so is the more 

 easily caught by the low-grade trashy articles often bearing catchy, 

 high-sounding names. Low-grade feeding stuffs, no matter what their 

 names, are almost sure to bring hardship to the animals that are fed on 

 them, and to the owners of such animals as well. Such feeds are really 

 more like roughages than concentrates, and roughage can be produced 

 on most farms far more economically than it can be purchased in bags 

 from the feed dealer. Whenever one is in doubt as to what to buy, he 

 should consult the feed control officials of his state or purchase only the 

 pure unmixed grains, straight milling or factory by-products, or propri- 

 etary feeds of high grade that have won a good reputation. 



290. A guide in- purchasing commercial feeds.-^-In purchasing unmixed 

 commercial feeding stuffs the guaranteed composition should be : ascer- 



