152 Feeds and Feeding. 



We observe that the cake rich in oil produced nearly five 

 pounds more gain per head than cake low in oil. The sheep 

 receiving the cake rich in oil brought a higher price per pound 

 than the others. The conclusion was that, '* weight for weight, 

 linseed oil to the extent of fifteen per cent, in a cake has a much 

 higher feeding value than have the other constituents of a linseed 

 cake which in the absence of the oil would replace it." 



206. Oil cake or oil meal as a feeding stuff. — There is no more 

 healthful feed than oil meal or oil cake. Its general eflfect is to 

 place the animal in fine condition, with a pliable skin, an oily, 

 sleek coat and a good quality of flesh upon handling, No other 

 farm feed has such a general beneficial effect on the digestive 

 tract as has oil meal, and the feeder should always have a quantity 

 on hand to deal out to his stock whenever judgment directs its 

 use. A small quantity of oil meal may be fed to horses, but as it 

 is fattening and does not make hard flesh, the allowance should 

 always be limited. (472) It is with fattening steers and with 

 sheep that oil meal shows at its best. For steers two or three 

 pounds can be given daily in connection with other feeds. Larger 

 amounts may be used if prices permit. 



Clayi reports starting yearling steers on grass with two or three 

 pounds of oil meal daily in addition to oat bran. Gradually the 

 amount of meal was increased, until in the fall twelve pounds of 

 meal were fed daily to each steer with satisfactory returns. (545^ 

 553) 



Voelcker, ' conducting experiments with sheep at Woburn, 

 England, writes: " From these results it must be concluded that 

 it is more profitable to feed sheep on linseed cake alone than on 

 one-half linseed cake and half barley." 



Owing to the price of oil meal, it should generally constitute 

 not more than one- third of the grain ration, but to this limit it has 

 a high value because of its helpful effect on the digestive tract, 

 and in stimulating through its palatability a heavy consumption 

 of the feeds with which it is mixed. For growing calves, oil meal 

 is of great utility and has already come into general use with pro- 

 gressive stockmen. 



« Live Stock Rept., Chicago, Jan. 20, 1893. 

 •Jour. Iluy. Agr. Soc, 1892. 



