28 



INVESTIGATION IN ANIMAL NUTRITION 



their toilet, bovine way, and gradually restlessness would supplant 

 contentment. When the feeder appeared each would come to his 

 place waiting for his own stall to be opened. Each knew, not only his 

 place, but as well, just the time when his turn came to be admitted to 

 his feed-box. It was by this watchfulness, kindly treatment, uniformity 

 and regularity in feeding that such uniform and satisfactory results 

 were obtained. The feeding, compared with the general practice, was 

 very light, but ample for best results except in the first year of Group 

 III. The light feeding was necessary, as the primary object of the 

 experiment was to study the nutrients actually required to make normal 

 growth and gain in fat. If more feed is given than an animal can or 

 does assimilate, the feeding-habit and the digestive system become 

 wasteful, and when wastefulness has once been acquired, the restora- 

 tion to normal feeding and efficiency in assimilation is a very slow 

 process. 



The data show the amount and kind of feed-stuffs required at the 

 various stages of growth both under continuous stall-feeding and by 

 turning to pasture. They give some light on the cost of production. 

 They reveal the fact that at times farmers are exceedingly anxious to 

 get rid of their calves regardless of price, and that at other times they 

 will not part with them without the purchaser begging for them and 

 paying double price, and then only a few will reluctantly respond. 

 During 1910 and 1911 the farmers were anxious to get rid of their 

 male calves, and during 1912 and 1913 they were as reluctant to part 

 with them. In seeking for the reason of this change on the part of the 

 farmers the data in the following table were compiled from the year- 

 book of the Daily Farmers' and Drovers' Journal, and have reference 

 to the cattle received at the Union Stock Yards, Chicago. 



TABLE XXIV 



RECEIPTS OF NATIVE AND RANGE CATTLE WITH AVERAGE PRICES PAID, AND RE- 

 CEIPTS OF CALVES AT THE CHICAGO STOCK YARDS FOR TEN YEARS 

 ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1914 



