THE COMPUTATION OF RATIONS 



699 



The 7^ pounds of clover hay in the ration will evidently 

 contain : 



87.1 X 0.075 = 6.53 pounds of dry matter. 

 4.9 X 0.075 = o-37 pound of digestible protein. 

 38.68 X 0.075 = 2 -9 Therms of net energy value. 



A precisely similar computation for the corn-and-cob meal 

 gives the following results : - 



89.6 X 0.15 = 13.44 pounds of dry matter. 



5.7 X 0.15 = 0.85 pound of digestible protein. 

 75.8 X 0.15 =11.37 Therms of net energy. 



Adding these amounts, we find that the total ration contains : 



The quantity of energy, of course, corresponds with that 

 estimated to be necessary, because the amounts of feed were 

 fixed upon on that basis. We observe, however, that the 

 amount of digestible protein in the ration is less than that 

 estimated in Table IV to be needed by beef cattle of this age 

 and weight. A ration like the above might produce fair gains, 

 but it probably would fail to take full advantage of the capac- 

 ity of such cattle for growth and the gain would most likely 

 fall below that which was anticipated. An increase in the pro- 

 tein might be expected to make the ration more efficient. 



To make any marked change in the ration in this respect, it 

 is evident that we must introduce into it some feed much richer 

 in protein than either of those composing it. On consulting 

 Table VII it is evident that what we need is one of the by-prod- 

 uct feeds, like gluten feed or meal, the oil meals, etc., and also 

 that only a small amount of one of these will be needed to effect 

 a marked change in the ration. Thus, if we substitute 2 pounds 

 of old-process linseed meal for 2 pounds of the corn-and-cob 

 meal, the ration will foot up as follows : 



