276 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



again. In feeding value, the old and new process meals do 

 not differ greatly. The former has probably a higher feed- 

 ing value for young calves and lambs, owing to its higher 

 content of oil or fat. 



Oil cake is one of the most valuable and useful, if not 

 the most generally valuable and useful of all the by-prod- 

 ucts of the farm. It is not only rich in protein, but it is 

 preeminently a safe food. When fed judiciously, there is 

 no class of animals kept upon the farm to which it may not 

 be fed with profit for a longer or shorter period. It is 

 much relished by all classes of domestic animals, and it is 

 to some extent an appetizer as well as a food. It is mildly 

 laxative and exercises a salutary influence on the digestive 

 tract. There is no kind of meal with which it may not be 

 fed satisfactorily should occasion call for such feeding. As 

 stated elsewhere, its real feeding value is considerably high- 

 er than chemical analysis would assign to it. It also gives 

 to the hair a glossy appearance indicative of thrift on the 

 part of the animal possessing it. 



For cattle of all ages and of all classes, oil cake fur- 

 nishes an admirable food. Its value for feeding calves dur- 

 ing the milk period has already been referred to (see 

 p. 250). To all classes of growing animals, it may be fed 

 with much benefit in the winter season along with grain or 

 meal, when not too dear for such feeding. It may form as 

 much as 10 per cent of the concentrate fed. Its use is 

 equally helpful in the winter grain ration for cattle that are 

 to be finished on pasture. But it is not so necessary to feed 

 it, nor will the benefits be so great relatively, when field 

 roots are being fed at the same time. In fattening cattle, 

 it is a favorite food, but rather as an adjunct to the meal ra- 

 tion than as a principal portion of the same. In other words 

 the benefits are relatively greater when the oil cake is fed in 

 moderate quantities of say one to three pounds rather than 

 as a principal factor in the same. But should the cost jus- 

 tify it, oil cake may be fed to the extent of forming half 

 the meal ration, the other portion being some carbonaceous 



