GENERAL FEEDING 451 



It is important, for instance, that calves shall be given hay, 

 fine and well cured. Cattle one or two years old may utilize, 

 without any loss, fodders much coarser and rougher. To 

 have a supply of such hay for calves, calls for forethought 

 in growing the same, in cutting it at the proper stage of 

 growth, in curing it, and in storing it so as to be accessible 

 when wanted. The same is true of food provision in other 

 lines. 



The variations in foods for the different classes of live 

 stock are much greater than for those of the same class. 

 They are : ( I ) Such as grow out of the necessities arising 

 from original bestowment; (2) such as relate to digestive 

 peculiarities and the needs growing out of these, and (3) 

 those which are at least measurably qualified by the nature 

 of the production required. These are additional to varia- 

 tions called for by variations in age. 



Nature made the ox graminivorous, hence, grasses and 

 grains are the proper food of cattle. Likewise it made the 

 pig omnivorous, hence, swine may properly be given a much 

 wider range of foods than would be suitable for cattle. Ani- 

 mal food may be fed with advantage betimes to calves in 

 the form of blood meal, but flesh is so foreign to the needs 

 of cattle that it is ill-adapted to supplying these. Not so, 

 however, is it in regard to swine. Tankage has proved 

 a profitable food for swine, and it is possible to maintain 

 them on the offal of slaughter-houses alone. Nature has 

 made the sheep dainty as to the condition in which food 

 is given to it, hence, unless good in quality, it will reject it, 

 except under the pressure of hunger. On the other hand, 

 swine will consume offal to such an extent that they may 

 be regarded as scavengers. 



The greater relative ability of cattle and sheep to di- 

 gest bulky foods as compared with horses, and especially 

 with swine, is discussed elsewhere, (see p. 456). Experience 

 has shown that meal is best administered to cattle in the 

 dry form, but to swine after having been soaked. It should 



