19 



alfalfa is lower than that of the ration. We can also decrease the ratio by 

 feeding less timothy. But as the total amount of nutriment is about what 

 we want, the best way is to feed less timothy and more alfalfa. One pound 

 of alfalfa contains .108 lb. protein, while a pound of timothy contains only 

 .029 lb. If we take out one pound of timothy and replace it with a pound 

 of alfalfa, we shall increase the protein by the difference of these numbers, 

 or .10<S- .029=:.079 lb., or practically .08 lb. But we want to increase the 

 protein from 2,39 to 2.80 lbs., or .41 lb. in all. To secure this increase we 

 must therefore exchange 5 lbs. of timothy for 5 of alfalfa, which gives us : 



Protein. Fuel 



3 lbs. timothy hay .09 1.33 



13 1T)S. alfalfa hay 1.40 5.51 



14 lbs. oats i..30 8.07 



2.79 14.91 



" This gives us very close to the ration recommended in the table of 

 standards, and illustrates the method used in calculating balanced rations of 

 all kinds. A little practice at this kind of work makes it much less difficult. 

 The rations in this bulletin, however, have been calculated by means of a 

 mechanical appliance recently invented by the writer, which makes the work 

 mere pastime. This appliance will be fully described in a bulletin shortly 

 to be issued, so that anyone with a little ingenuity in handling tools may 

 construct one for himself. 



" Feeding Horses. 



" The last ration above would indicate that very few heavily-worked 

 horses are properly fed in this state. In the wheat sections, horses are 

 usually fed on oats and eitlior grain hay or timothy hay during the ploughing 

 season, and on headed grain during the threshing season. In the alfalfa 

 districts, they are frequently fed nothing but alfalfa the year round. Let 

 us examine a few of these rations for heavily-worked horses and see how 

 they compare with the rations recommended by those who have studied the 

 matter. 



Protein. Fuel. 



Standard rations 2.80 15.20 



25 lbs. headed wheat 1.96 15.58 



20 ms. timothy hay \ ^ 



15 lbs. oats / -^-^^ ^^''^ 



20 lbs. w^heat hayl on- iqia 



15 lbs. oats J -^' ^^-^^ 



" It is not difficult to see why our horses fall away so rapidly when heavily 

 worked. It is because the small amount of protein fed them is largely 

 burned for producing energy, and the wasting tissues are not properli? 

 nourished. In the case of the alfalfa-fed horse, we have the following: 



Protein. Fuel 



2P> lbs. alfalfa hay 2.8 11.0 



30 ITjs. alfalfa hay 3.2 12.7 



34 lbs. alfalfa hay 3.7 14.4 



"Twenty-six pounds of this hay furnishes the right amount of protein, 

 but falls short of supplying the 15 lbs. of fuel required. Thirty-four 

 pounds contain amout as much total nutrients as needed, but the proportion 



