1895.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 23 



Summary. 



Pounds, 



Total digestible protein, 2.70 



Total digestible fat 0.73 



Total digestible cellulose and extract (carbohydrates), .... 12.60 



Total digestible organic nutrients, 16.03 



These figures correspond very closely with the amounts required (see top of page 22). 



Calculating the Nutritive Ratio. 



Pounds. 



Carbohydrates, 12.60 



Fat, .73 pound X '-^i = 1-82 



Total, 14.42 



14.42 pounds carbohydrates ~ '1.1 pounds protein = .5.34, or as 1 protein is to 5.34 

 carbohydrates (1:5.34). 



TJie Real Meaning of Nutritive Ratio. 



Nutritive ratio is simply the numerical relation which the 

 fat and carbohydrates bear to the protein which is taken as 

 unity ; or, stated in the form of a problem, how many more 

 units of carbohydrates and fat reduced to carbohydrates are 

 present in the ration than units of protein ? 



It has been demonstrated by experiment that, other 

 things being equal, the best returns can be secured in case 

 of milch cows, for example, if the various fodders are so 

 combined as to produce a ration containing 4.5 to 5.5 times 

 as much carbohydrates as protein ; or, in other words, 

 rations having a nutritive ratio of 1 : 4.5 to 5.5. 



While this proportion should be kept in mind in making 

 up the fodder ration, palatability and variety should by no 

 means be lost sight of. 



Rations with a nutritive ratio of 1 :4.5 to G are termed 

 narrow rations ; those with ratios of 1 : 6 to 1 : 10, wide 

 rations. 



