136 



THE BOOK OF ALFALFA 



portions are similar to those for the fattening steer, but 

 less in quantity. A pig two to three months old needs feeds 

 containing seven and one-half pounds of protein to each 

 thirty pounds of carbohydrates and fat, while a year-old 

 pig needs seven and one-half pounds of protein to each 

 forty-eight pounds of carbohydrates and fat. Feeds con- 

 taining a greater proportion of protein than called for 

 by these standards can be fed, because protein can take 

 the place of the other materials. Carbohydrates and fat 

 cannot take the place of protein, however, and no matter 

 in how large quantities they may be fed, if protein is 

 lacking, the growth or gain will be less. 



"The weak point in feeding is that the average rations 

 are greatly deficient in protein, and have too much carbo- 

 hydrates and fat. Every feeder knows that good pastur- 

 age produces rapid growth, good gains, and abundant 

 milk yields. It furnishes nutriment in the proportion of 

 three pounds of protein, twelve pounds of carbohydrates, 

 and one-half pound of fat. The proportions in some of 

 our feeds in pounds per loo pounds of feed, are as 

 follows : 



Com 



Kafir-corn 



Prairie hay... 

 Corn fodder.. 

 Sorghum hay 



Fat 



1.6 

 2.7 

 1.4 

 0.6 

 1.2 



'Tt will be seen that none of these contain a sufficient 

 proportion of protein to secure best results, and all com- 

 binations of these feeds will have the same defect. 



