CHAP. xi. FEEDING CATTLE FOR SHOW. 197 



"It will be seen that our 1200-lb. steer consumes daily 3'277 lb. of 

 protein, 16 lb. of carbo-hydrates, and 1 lb. of fat. From this we 

 calculate that for each 1000 lb. weight of animal fed we supply 2*73 of 

 protein, 13*33 lb. of carbo-hydrates, and 0'83 lb. of fat. This agrees 

 so closely with the German standard that it might appear that I had 

 got my ideas of the proper portions from them. This is not so, as it 

 is only (1889) a few months ago that I learned the German standard, 

 whereas I have worked on my principle for many years, and as yet I 

 see no good reason for change in favour of the German. 



" Frequency in feeding, with as much variety as possible in the bill 

 of fare, and no greater quantity given at each time than will be directly 

 consumed, are in my belief the first principles in successful feeding. 

 To supply more than will be eaten at once is not only wasteful, but it 

 encourages the animal to become dainty of its food, which bad habit 

 in the end prevents the eating of a proper quantity. As soon as the 

 animal has finished feeding let the man in charge clean most scrupu- 

 lously the feed boxes, as daintily -fed animals loathe food that has been 

 blown upon. It is seldom two animals feed alike, so the herdsman or 

 feeder must study exactly the quantity each animal will consume. If 

 they do not get sufficient they will remain restless, and not lay on 

 flesh as they ought to ; if they are overfed they become disgusted and 

 refuse to eat. Many animals, if judiciously handled, will eat a heaped 

 pailful of my mixture four times a day ; that is, from 18 to 20 lb. at 

 each feed. 



"It is very necessary to question your stockmen daily as to the 

 condition and health of the animals, as they are apt to forget to tell 

 you if an animal shows any deviation from his healthy habits. Should 

 sickness appear, avoid as much as possible the use of medicines. 

 Overfeeding is generally the cause of sickness in pampered animals, 

 and in such cases a good dose of linseed oil will give relief, but there 

 is nothing to compare with diet. Keep the animals short of feed for a 

 day or two, and they will soon return to their normal state. 



" Now, for the main point the feeding ingredients ; in order to make 

 the calculation simple of the measurement and mixing of the several 

 meals, we will consider their relative weights by the pound, as 

 follows : 



1. One pound oats, crushed. 



2. One pound barley, crushed. 



3. One pound maize or Indian corn, crushed into meal. 



4. One pound wheat, crushed. 



5 and 6. One half-pound peas, one half-pound beans, crushed into meal. (One pound 

 peas can take the place of both. ) 



7. One pound bran. 



8 and 9. One pound best flax seed, ground into Hour, and one pint molasses ; mix both 

 together for soup, and divide into four portions, one-quarter for each feed. 



10. One double-handful of sweet hay chaff given in every feed, so as to promote digestion 

 and rumination. 



11. One double-handful of pulped roots about four pounds in every feed, mixed with 

 the grains. 



"Mix all thoroughly together, and feed the animals/owr times a day, 

 according to appetite and constitution. Water four times daily, and 



