1904.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 83. 153 



fat in the ration is a matter of much importiince. I believe, 

 further, that care should be taken that the ration does not 

 include too large a proportion of fiber, as this without doubt 

 increases the labor of digestion, and probably decreases the 

 proportion of the various nutrients digested and assimilated. 

 It is well understood that animal matter of some kind is 

 essential to good egg production. Our earlier experiments 

 have shown the great superiority of animal to vegetable pro- 

 tein in rations for laying hens. It is believed, however, that 

 suitable animal feeds, under which class may be included all 

 such as are well preserved and sweet and palatable, may be 

 wisely used in connection with a large proportion of our 

 cheapest grain, — corn. , , 



