utilized than when it is given in its natural state but, for the 

 ordinary class of cattle, the labor involved has been found to be 

 out of all proportion to the increased efficiency shown. The 

 market does not demand that ordinary animals be made fat 

 enough to require this nice attention to feeding. To make show 

 animals, all of this is necessary, and is fully justified. 



Better Preparation Required toward the Latter End of the Feeding 

 Period. 



It is evident, from a study of the detailed answers to our 

 question in regard to the preparation of feed, and particularly 

 from a study of the summary of these replies just presented, 

 that the practice of offering feed of finer texture, better quality 

 and higher palatability in the latter part of the feeding period 

 than in the earlier part is well established. This is due to the 

 fact that an animal in thin condition has a good appetite and 

 will consume coarse and relatively cheap material in sufficient 

 quantity to make profitable gains. Later, when the system is 

 loaded with fat, the appetite becomes more delicate and dis- 

 criminating, and requires to be catered to in quailty, condition 

 and palatability to a marked degree in order that a rapid rate 

 of gain may be maintained and an economical finish be made. 

 This is particularly true of cattle that are to be made very fat, 

 and is more true of young animals than of older ones. It is more 

 true of young than of old animals on account of the ten- 

 dency of the former to use much of its feed for growth. In 

 such cases a relatively large gain may show a very slight im- 

 provement in the condition of the animals. Therefore, a prep- 

 aration of feed that would be wholly impracticable for the earlier 

 or main portion of the feeding period might prove to be exceed- 

 ingly profitable in the last 60 days. Failure to recognize this 

 fundamental fact in cattle feeding distinguishes the unsuccessful 

 feeder from the successful one. 



Better Preparation Required in Summer Than in Winter Feeding. 



It further appears, from these replies, that the feeder offers 

 his grain in rather better form in summer than in winter. This 

 is primarily due to the fact that grass in summer is more pala- 

 table than is the roughage usually offered in winter, namely, 



