39 



Only tliose feeds should be bought* that are rich in pro- 

 Buy tein and in mineral matter. «ueh feeds supplement tlie 

 Protein, liome grown starchy products, are very necessary for 

 the production of milk, meat and eggs and likewise 

 greatly improve the fertility of the farm. The most economical 

 protein concentrates are cottonseed meal, gluten feed, distillers' 

 and brewers' dried grains, midt sprouts and flour middlings. 



Wheat bran relatively speaking, is almost always an expensive 

 source of nutrition. It is, however, uniformly palatable; it can 

 be fed in considerable quantities without producing any ill effects, 

 it acts as a slight laxative and serves as a very satisfactory diluter 

 of the heavy concentrates. In view of the extremely high prices 

 at which bran is held, many feeders feel compelled to substitute 

 malt sprouts, distillers' dried grains and corn silage. 



Malt sprouts are not palatable and absorb large quantities of 

 w^ater, hence not over two and one-half pounds daily should be 

 fed dry preferably mixed with other more palatable feeds. (See 

 rations for dairy stock.) 



(b) Proprietary Mixtures or Ready Rations. 



By a proprietary mixture is meant a combination of several 

 grains or by-products offered as a ready grain ration for dairy 

 stock. The requirements of a ready ration may be outlined as 

 follows : 



1. It should be bulky, i)alatable, and free from mould and 

 rancidity. 



2. It should contain from 16 to 18 pounds of digestible pro- 

 tein in 100. 



3. It should contain approximately 70 pounds of digestible 

 organic nutrients in 100, and not over 9 per cent of total fiber. 

 The latter should not be derived from corn cobs or similar mate- 

 rial, ilore than 9 per cent of fiber indicates an excess of grain 

 hulls which naturally renders the feed less digestible. 



* An exception to this may be made in caie of those who are obliged to buy all of their feed. In 

 such cases the dairyman will find it advisable to include some corn or hominy, a few pounds daily 

 being very helpful in furnishing the necessary digestible matter. 



