33 



The number of brands has multiplied rapidly of late, many dealers 

 now preparing their own mixtures. The average composition was 

 protein 15.70 per cent and fat 4.33 per cent. Some brands were 

 marked for special purposes, such as '' growing," "feathering and 

 producing," yet failed to show any material diffe.ience in compo- 

 sition. The retail price of these mixtures varied from $1.60 to $2.50 

 a hundred pounds, which in the majority of cases was too high, l-'or 

 growing poultry a mixture of 4^ parts of corn meal, 4^ parts ground 

 hulled oats, and one part of finely ground scraps or meat and 

 bone meal, ought to prove satisfactory. A desirable meal for lay- 

 ing hens may be made by mixing by weight one-third bran, one- 

 third corn meal, one-sixth ground oats and one-sixth gluten feed. 

 Such combinations ought not to cost over $1.30 to $1.50 a hundred 

 pounds. 



Spratt's patent chick meal and poultry food consisted of cereals, a 

 nitrogenous by-product, and considerable ashy matter, made into the 

 form of a biscuit and baked. 



The prominent components of these mixtures were 



Chick and the cereals wheat, corn, oats, millet, Kaffir corn. 



Scratching barley, and buckwheat together with charcoal, grit 



Grains. and shells. Small amounts of linseed meal were 



Pages 25-26. occasionally observed. The various seeds were 



whole, cracked or tine cracked, .depending on their 

 original size and the purpose for which the mixture was intended. For 

 chicks millet was a favorite ingredient with the other grains fine 

 cracked. The 28 samples averaged 1 1.29 percent in protein and 3.52 

 per cent in fat and were far more uniform in composition than the 

 meals and mashes. The price asked ranged from $1.50 to $3.00 a 

 hundred. Feeds of a high ash content should be avoided, as no 

 one can afford to pay two cents or more a pound for grit. It is 

 believed that equally satisfactory combinations can be prepared 

 by the average poultrymen at a cost of from ^^1.40 to $2.00 a 

 hundred. 



The four samples collected varied widely in compo- 



Clover Meals, sition as well as in appearance, one sample being 



Page 26. largely seeds. The price, $1.75 to $3.00 a hundred. 



was excessive. It is doubtful economy to feed 

 material havintr such an uncertain value. 



