ALFALFA AS A FEED STUFF I35 



which is worse than wasted ; for the feeding of any class 

 of substances in excess adds to the labor of the digestive 

 organs and reduces their efficiency. 



3IAKI1VG A BALANCED RATION 



In Press Bulletin No. 12, from the Kansas station, the 

 following is given to illustrate somewhat how a balanced 

 ration would differ from others into which consideration 

 of a proper balance had not entered : 



"There are three important groups of substances in 

 feeds — protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Protein includes 

 all materials in feeds which contain nitrogen. It enters 

 into the composition of milk, blood, muscle, hair and the 

 brain and nerves ; is necessary in the formation of these, 

 and no other substance can take its place. Protein is 

 also used in the body in producing heat, energy and fat. 

 Carbohydrates include the fiber of feeds, the sugars, 

 starch, and gums, and furnish heat, energy and fat in the 

 body. Carbohydrates and fat can take each other's 

 places, one pound of fat being worth 2.2 pounds of carbo- 

 hydrates for production of heat in the body. 



"Extended investigations have shown that to obtain the 

 best results, feed should be given which will furnish these 

 materials in the following proportions : 



"Dairy cow — protein, 2>4 pounds ; carbohydrates, 12^ 

 pounds; fat, Yi pound. 



"Fattening steer — protein, 2^ to 3 pounds; carbohy- 

 drates, 15 pounds; fat, y2 to }i pound. 



"Growing cattle — protein, 4 pounds; carbohydrates, 

 13^ pounds; fat, 2 pounds. 



"For a young animal (cattle) gradually decrease the 

 proportion of protein until at the age of two years thepro- 



