GENERAL FEEDING 449 



within the shortest period that this may be attainable. To 

 withhold rations from animals up to the limit stated is false 

 economy. In the aggregate the amount thus t lost in the 

 maintenance of live stock is very great. More than half 

 the food fed to live stock is used as food for maintenance. 



Growth and future production. If maximum produc- 

 tion is to be obtained from domestic animals, they must 

 be fed and managed at all times with reference to future 

 production. This principle applies : ( I ) To the nourish- 

 ment of the foetus carried by the pregnant animal; (2) to 

 periods of arrested development at any time prior to ma- 

 turity; (3) to the growing of animals with reference to the 

 production of milk, meat or labor; (4) to the foods used in 

 making growth with reference to future growth, and (5) to 

 the over-taxing of the physical powers, whether digestive 

 or muscular. 



Unless the young animal in utero is properly sustained 

 through 'suitable food taken by the dam, it begins life 

 with a handicap, which no food or care subsequently can 

 ever completely overcome. The food and management of 

 the dam, therefore, during the entire period of pregnancy 

 will exert an influence on the producing capacity of the 

 progeny during the whole of the life period. (See p. 124.) 

 For the discussion of arrested development and the in- 

 fluences that result from it, see page 65. 



If the heifer is to produce milk abundantly in the dairy 

 during development, the habit must not be encouraged of 

 laying on fat beyond a certain limit. But this idea in 

 practice must not be carried to the extent of in any way 

 hindering a vigorous and robust development. On the 

 other hand, if the young animal is grown to furnish meat, 

 good steady growth which carries along with it a reason- 

 able amount of fat will influence favorably future produc- 

 tion. If food is insufficient in quantity or nutrition, or 

 excessive in both respects, the influence on future produc- 

 tion will be unfavorable. Likewise if the growing colt is 

 fed improperly for the end for which it is being grown, the 

 results will be disappointing. 



