2 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



important influence which it exercises is on the in- 

 creased consumption which results from increased pala- 

 tability. The influences that affect palatability are variety 

 in plants, maturity, harvesting and preparation for feeding. 



A food may be fed possessed of certain nutrients and 

 while it may answer well the purpose for which it is fed, 

 it cannot be said that it exercises any perceptible influence 

 on the other foods fed along with it. Other foods again are 

 fed which invariably exercise such an influence. They do 

 so by the favorable influence which they exert on the diges- 

 tive organs and digestive processes. They put the system 

 in better tone. For instance, should the faeces indicate con- 

 stipation, some food can be fed in limited quantity which 

 corrects such a condition. Such a food is found in wheat, 

 bran and oil cake. Other foods may produce undue laxness. 

 The influence may be counteracted by feeding but a limited 

 quantity of some other food. Such a food is found in dry 

 fodder of certain kinds. The analyses of these foods can- 

 not indicate anything as to these influences. It would not 

 be possible to measure the additional influence thus exerted 

 by these foods, but under some conditions it would seem 

 safe to say that this influence is in some instances of greater 

 value than the direct influence exerted through their food 

 nutrients. (See page 276.) 



Bulk and concentration in foods. A due relation 

 must be maintained between the relative bulk and concen- 

 tration in the foods fed. The laws of physical conformation 

 demand this and the demand is imperative. This relation 

 differs first, with the different classes of animals; second, 

 with the same class at different ages ; and third, with the 

 objects for which they are kept. It cannot be ignored by the 

 successful breeder and feeder, because of. the relation which 

 it bears first, to relative production; second, to relative 

 cost in relation to production; and third, to the influence 

 which it exercises on continued production. 



This relation differs greatly in different classes of ani- 

 mals. They differ greatly in their capacity to consume and 



