PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING ANIMALS 317 



entirely, the other substances can take their place. But 

 the omission or insufficient supply of any of these is 

 unwise and unprofitable. 



Animals differ in the use of food. Young animals re- 

 quire less food than older ones to increase their weights 

 equally. It is much more profitable to fatten a hog less 

 than a year old than one nearly two years old. 



Hogs and chickens require most of their food in con- 

 densed or concentrated form. Horses need about half 

 concentrated food and half bulky food, like hay. Cattle 

 and sheep may do well on a ration that consists chiefly of 

 bulky foods. 



Animals of the same breed differ greatly in the use 

 they make of their food. One fattens on much less food 

 than another does. Experience and study enable good 

 judges of animals to select those that fatten most readily. 



EXERCISE. Weigh an exact quart or gallon of corn, corn meal, 

 wheat bran, cotton-seed meal, and any other common " grain feeds " 

 that are convenient. Write the weights in your notebook and compare 

 them with the weights that your classmates find. Ask your parents 

 what are the cheapest foods for feeding cows. 



NOTE TO THE TEACHER. No portion of the tables following is to 

 be memorized. They are for reference in working problems suggested 

 in the next section. In case the sixth grade studies this book, or in 

 case the class is backward in arithmetic, the whole of the next section 

 may be omitted. Do not, however, omit Section LIX. If the class 

 has studied an elementary book on physiology, require the pupils to 

 read now those parts of it bearing on digestion and food. 



