144 AGRICULTURE. 



(4) [a) Let each student compute the nutritive ratio 

 of a ration with which he is actually feeding, or knows 

 is being fed, to a cow or a horse. 



(<^) Does the condition of the animal justify the con- 

 tinuance of this ration ? Why ? 



(r) How does this nutritive ratio compare with that of 

 the standard given for an animal under similar condi- 

 tions. 



(d) If this ratio is too wide or too narrow, is it on ac- 

 count of the kinds of food, or on account of the propor- 

 tion of the different kinds of food? Modify this ration 

 so that the nutritive ratio will agree with that of the 

 standard. 



^.—FEEDING STUFFS. 



Wherever it is possible, the food fed to the 

 stock should be groiun on the farm and not 

 bought. 



In deciding upon a ration for a given animal, 

 the stockman should know two things: (i) 

 what the animal needs ; (2) what the food 

 contains. Then he can determine what foods 

 will supply the demands of the animal in ques- 

 tion. 



I. Palatability 



of foods is of no little importance, for if from 

 any reason the animal does not relish the food, 

 enough will not be eaten to produce any gain. 

 Animals tire of the same food used continuous- 

 ly, just as man does; hence an occasional change 

 in the food is a good plan, but this should be 

 done in such a manner as not to materially 

 change the nutritive ratio. 



