CHAPTER XIII 

 COST OF NUTRIENTS 



Bulk Food Should Be Home-Grown. Little 

 needs to be said about the importance of growing 

 on the farm all the bulk food required for live stock. 

 For one thing, the greater part of the feeding stuffs 

 can be grown cheaper than they can be bought of 

 someone else. Practically all materials grown on 

 the farm and used for feeding purposes are low in 

 protein but correspondingly high in other nutrients. 

 The farmer can raise all the carbohydrates and fat 

 needed for either the dairy or the block; but, un- 

 fortunately, there are no feeding stuffs made up 

 wholly of protein. If there were, the balancing of 

 rations in reference to cost would be a very simple 

 process indeed. 



Protein Not Solely Purchased. Though protein 

 is the constituent most needed on most farms when 

 purchased, other nutrients must be taken along with 

 the protein. Carbohydrates and fat are present in 

 all feeding stuffs, and they have a commercial value. 

 Consequently when we buy protein we get carbo- 

 hydrates and fat also. It should not be understood 

 that these latter constituents are a trouble or a nui- 

 sance ; they have a value. But you readily see it is 

 unfortunate to purchase them when their like can 

 be secured at home. It suggests the same idea that 



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