170 The Sugar-Beet in America 



tained at a moderate price, alfalfa, grain, and pulp put 

 a fine finish on stock ; but thousands of animals are fat- 

 tened without the grain, especially where it is high priced. 

 By varying the amount of pulp in proportion to other 

 feeds, it is possible to make excellent rations for fattening 

 animals, producing growth and milk, preparing for 

 maternity, and for merely wintering the animals cheaply 

 without their losing weight. The combination of feeds 

 and the amount of each is altered according to the pur- 

 pose. Likewise, the value of the pulp to the feeder is 

 determined by the object of the feeding, the character 

 and amount of supplementary feed, the condition of 

 the animals to be fed, and the value of the finished 

 product. 



Being close to the great stock ranges, the western beet- 

 sugar companies are able to make good use of pulp. With 

 rations made up largely of the siloed pulp and alfalfa hay, 

 thousands of steers are fattened annually on these feeds. 

 The stock fresh from the ranges are at first fed largely on 

 alfalfa hay with only a comparatively small amount of 

 pulp. This is increased gradually until the daily ration 

 consists of about fifteen pounds of alfalfa and one hun- 

 dred pounds of siloed pulp. WTien fed alone, pulp is a 

 poorly balanced feed which will endanger the lives of the 

 animals, and will not fatten stock that are in poor con- 

 dition. Grain and some roughage must supplement it. 

 The best feeders begin with alfalfa hay and a small 

 amount of pulp, increasing the pulp until the full ration 

 is given, then toward the close of the feeding period a 

 small quantity of grain is added. Where grain can be 

 fed economically, the amount used is gradually increased 



