74 PROFITABLE DAIRYING 



Other elements enter into the feeding problems, so 

 that a mere balanced ration is not the only thing tc 

 be considered. Cottonseed-meal, a highly nitrogen- 

 ous food, has a tendency to create feverish conditions 

 and is irritating in its nature. Oil-cake meal, another 

 nitrogenous food, has exactly the opposite tendency, 

 It follows that where the balance in ration is made up 

 of either of these feeds the result may not be satis- 

 factory. The effect upon the system must be consid- 

 ered. Wheat bran and middlings are bulky. Buck- 

 wheat middlings are heavy and a concentrated food. 

 Mixing these feeds produces a much better effect 

 than when either is fed separately. Oil-cake meal 

 and cottonseed-meal may be mixed with the same 

 result. 



The feeding problem must be carefully studied by 

 the man who would feed successfully. No single 

 food or ration can be adopted with profitable results. 

 Clover hay and alfala come the nearest to a perfect 

 ration of any single food. No chemist can tell the 

 kinds of food to use or the proportions necessary to 

 produce milk or butter. The cow is her own chemist, 

 and it was only through her aid that the balanced 

 ration was determined. Her tastes, her appetite must 

 be taken into consideration in determining what she 

 shall eat, and the quantity should be increased or 

 diminished as she makes corresponding returns. 

 Compounding rations will be treated under a separate 

 head. 



WATER AND SALT 



When practicable it is well to have fresh water 

 constantly within reach of the cow. Devices for this 

 purpose in considerable variety are on the market. 



