? FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



distributed than by the amount of it present. In some 

 instances the fat is laid on in great measure externally and 

 internally. In other instances, it is more distributed through 

 the lean, sometimes^ in the form of layers of fat and lean 

 alternating, and sometimes in the flecking of the lean with 

 little pockets as it were of fat. Inheritance exercises some 

 influence over the manner in which fat is distributed in 

 the carcass, and the same is true of exercise, but it is prob- 

 ably correct to say that neither influence is so potent as 

 food in producing the results desired. Young ani- 

 mals so fed, that they are always in a good condition of 

 thrift and flesh, but without excess of fatness, will have a 

 more perfect distribution of fat and lean than if allowed 

 to lose flesh for a period more or less prolonged and are 

 then fleshed up quickly. The most perfect distribution of 

 fat and lean can, of course, be obtained when the three 

 modifying influences; viz., inheritance, exercise and bal- 

 anced foods are fed in due quantity. The side of the bacon 

 pig furnishes a good illustration of the deposition of fat 

 and lean in layers, and the loin of an Aberdeen- Angus, an 

 illustration of lean flecked with fat. 



That the flavor of meat is influenced more or less by 

 food is shown: (i) In the excellent flavor of mutton 

 grown upon mountains, caused by the variety and to some 

 extent the aromatic character of the plants from which 

 it is produced; (2) in the peculiar flavor of the meat of 

 wild animals and in the difference of the flavors, owing 

 largely to the difference in the foods selected by them, and 

 (3) in the peculiar flavor, in a sense amounting to a taint, 

 of the flesh of the sage hen of the western plains and 

 of domestic animals which have fed much on pastures 

 abounding in penny cress (Thlaspi arvensc.} 



The influence of food on increase in milk production 

 is readily apparent: (i) When a change is made from 

 a diet dry and without succulence as from fodder corn to 

 corn ensilage, from dry winter foods to succulent pastures, 

 or when dry pastures abundant in the quantity of the grass 



