68 LIVESTOCK ON THE FARM 



animal is to grow it must have enough protein to make the new 

 tissues as well as to maintain that part of the tissues already- 

 made. 



To feed a young animal that is supposed to grow, upon 

 feeds which contain only just enough protein for maintenance, 

 and then expect it to grow would be like asking a carpenter to 

 build a brick house out of a pile of lumber. It simply cannot 

 be done. 



All natural feeds such as the grasses and grains contain 

 some protein. Those that contain the least, such as rice, 

 potatoes and corn, perhaps still contain enough for mainte- 

 nance. This is a very wise provision of nature. For if God 

 in His wisdom had not made feeds in this way what would not 

 man in his ignorance have done long ago? Many an animal 

 has for days and months been fed on nothing but corn. Ex- 

 cept for this provision such animals would long since have 

 starved to death. Nothing else in the feeds for animals can 

 take the place of protein and even if an animal were fed all it 

 could eat of everything else but protein it would starve to 

 death with a full stomach. 



Protein may also be used in the animal body for producing 

 heat, energy and fat but these are secondary considerations, 

 for this nutrient. It is both harmful and expensive. 



As an example of protein, gluten may be mentioned. The 

 white of egg and lean meat are almost pure protein. Cheese 

 also is largely protein. 



Overfeeding. — It is also important that an animal be not 

 overfed upon this most important nutrient. This is nicely 

 illustrated by the following: 



Three bunches of pigs were fed by the writer. Lot 1 was 

 underfed, by giving the pigs all the corn and water they could 

 eat. Corn contains only about enough protein for main- 

 tenance. Lot 2 was fed corn, middhngs, milk and tankage in 

 quantities to make a balanced ration. Lot 3 was fed the 

 same ration as lot 2 but in such a way as to give the pigs 

 more protein. They were given more of the protein feeds and 

 less of the carbohydrates. They were overfed on protein. 

 The pigs were started on these rations at weaning time when 

 they were about two months old and were fed till they were 



