THE SELECTION OF FOODS 55 



greatest profit will be made from feeding these in equilib- 

 rium. But because of the contrast in values it may be 

 advantageous sometimes to feed them somewhat out of 

 equilibrium. For instance, when corn was low in price, in 

 certain states of the corn belt years ago and clover was not 

 plentiful, or not to be had at all, it was found profitable to 

 feed corn out of equilibrium, both in regard to the needs 

 of the animal viewed from the standpoint of the chemist 

 and also that of the needs of the animal as to bulk require- 

 ment. Again, when lambs are being fattened on alfalfa and 

 grain in the western mountain valleys where alfalfa is 

 very cheap relatively and grain is dear, it has been found 

 profitable in some instances to feed grain below the equi- 

 librium of the requirement in concentration and to feed 

 alfalfa above the same. 



The influence of equilibrium in feeding bulky and con- 

 centrated foods on continued production is very marked. 

 Feed a calf too large a proportion of concentrated food, 

 and its power for all time to give the highest possible return 

 for the food fed is reduced. It may be reduced first from 

 weakened digestion, or, second, from want of development 

 in the digestive tract. Feed a colt too large a proportion 

 of bulky food while in process of development, and its 

 capacity for speed will be lowered because of the excess of 

 paunch development which it must carry. Feed a dairy 

 cow too large a proportion of grain and her digestive pow- 

 ers will be permanently injured, because they have been 

 overtaxed, and the same is true of a steer fed so much grain 

 that he loses appetite. With a due proportion of bulk to 

 concentrates, these results would never follow in the cases 

 named. They never occur but they tend to curtail produc- 

 tion, hence the great importance of feeding foods in equilib- 

 rium as to bulk and concentration. 



Succulence and milk production. That succulent 

 foods are more favorable to milk production than those of 

 similar analysis as to nutrients but lacking in succulence, 



