208 PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING 



Chemists have determined the amounts of protein and 

 carbohydrates in all of the common feeding stuffs. From 

 tables prepared by them, we may "figure out" a ration 

 with such foods as may be raised on the farm or pur- 

 chased. It is sometimes more economical to sell certain 

 feed, and to buy other feed that contains the elements 

 needed to make a proper ration. 



Balanced Ration. A balanced ration is one that con- 

 tains protein, carbohydrates, and fat in the proportions 

 that will secure the best results. Suppose we wished to 

 make a balanced ration for an average dairy cow. We find 

 from the Table, Amount of Nutrients, pp. 259, 260, that 

 such a cow needs daily about twenty-seven pounds of dry 

 matter. She needs two pounds of digestible protein, eleven 

 pounds of carbohydrates, and four-tenths of a pound of fat. 

 If we multiply the fat required by two and one-fourth, it 

 will be equivalent to about one pound of carbohydrates. 

 The nutritive ratio, given in the Table, Amount of Nu- 

 trients, is i : 6. Suppose we have clover hay, corn stover, 

 bran, corn meal, and cotton-seed meal, to feed. 



Nutritive ratio, 1 : 6. 



It must not be expected that a ration will figure out 

 exactly according to the needs. The above ration is close 



