45O PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY 



The fattening standard calls for that quantity of feed which 

 gives the most rapid fattening. Any excess of feed over the 

 maintenance requirements produces fat; the fattening standard 

 gives the largest quantity which should be used. 



Practice of Fattening. Straw has little value for fattening 

 purposes. It is so bulky that the animal cannot eat sufficient 

 feed for best results, when the straw is used in quantity in the 

 ration. Even good meadow or clover hay has too great bulk in 

 proportion to its nutritive content to be used in quantity in 

 intensive fattening. Good pasturage is excellent for fattening, 

 and in exceptionally favored localities may be the only fattening 

 feed. But usually the animal is finished on more concentrated 

 feed. 



Fig. 93. Carcass of hogs fed on, (A) corn and, (B) barley. 

 North Dakota Station. 



In feeding large rations, care must be taken to render the food 

 palatable, so that the animal will be induced to eat as much as 

 possible. The use of well-flavored feeds, salt, molasses, or 

 special preparation of the feed, may be of advantage in causing 

 the animal to consume the desired amount. 



