15 



able odor and smart taste, probably in quantities varying from 5 to 

 ID percent of the whole mixture. In some cases the total quantity 

 of mineral and vegetable drugs constituted from one-sixth to one- 

 third of the mixture, while in other cases, the amount of such sub- 

 stances was very much less. 



It has been shown that none of the mineral drugs,. 



Cost and excepting nitre, cost much over a cent a pound, 



Selling Price and that the vegetable drugs varied in price from 3 



Compared, to 12 cents a pound. Judging from all the data at 



hand, the cost of the entire mixtures, — grains and 

 drugs — , could rarely have exceeded two and one-half to three cents 

 a pound. In many cases it could not have been more than two 

 cents a pound. 



The retail prices varied from six to twenty-five cents a pound, 

 depending on the brand and quantity purchased. Condition pow- 

 ders are much higher priced, from thirty cents to one dollar a pound. 

 Is it not strange that many are willing to pay extravagant prices for 

 materials possessing such ordinary feeding and medicinal values ! ! ! 

 It is hoped that poultrymen have sufficient commonsense to purchase 

 bran, corn meal, salt, oyster shells, charcoal and meat scraps separ- 

 ately, rather than pay from ten to twenty cents a pound for such 

 mixtures put up in attractive packages for which the manufacturers 

 make the most astounding and unreasonable claims. 



Their food value has been shown to be no greater 



Utility of than that of the ordinary grains of which they are 



these Foods, largely composed. Their medicinal value depends 



largely upon the aromatic seeds and roots used as a 

 tonic for the stomach, on charcoal as an absorbent, and on the pur- 

 gative effect of the Epsom or Glaubers salts. The quantity recom- 

 mended to be fed daily is usually so small (one ounce or less) 

 that very little effect can be expected unless the material is fed for a 

 considerable length of time. While it is probably true that some of 

 these stock foods may prove beneficial under certain conditions, it is 

 also true that most of them are heterogeneous mixtures and evidently 

 put together by parties quite ignorant of the principles of animal 

 physiology, pathology and veterinary medicine. 



