LIVE-STOCK FARMING 235 



actually retained in the animal tissues, only one half to two 

 thirds may serve as human food, after discarding the offal and non- 

 edible parts. On the other hand, the carbohydrates of the food 

 contribute largely to the formation of animal fat, the energy value 

 of which is about 2^ times that of carbohydrates; so that, in case 

 of fat swine, the edible food produced is equivalent to about 20 

 per cent of the dry substance in the ration consumed by the ani- 

 mal; while, in the production of fat cattle, less than 10 per cent of 

 the dry matter in the ration consumed is represented in the human 

 food produced. 



These data do not answer questions as to the comparative value 

 of vegetable and animal food for human nutrition; but 50 cents 

 for a piece of steak, with 10 cents for potatoes, and no extra charge 

 for bread, must roughly represent the relative cost of the materials; 

 and perhaps the vegetarian would hold that the steak might as 

 well be replaced by peas or beans costing 10 or 15 cents. 



With all of these facts considered, it seems evident that live- 

 stock farming must and should continue to decrease, except on 

 rough lands not suited to cultivation, in semiarid sections where 

 the average produce is not worth harvesting otherwise, or in espe- 

 cially favored sections near the cities where dairy farming is 

 profitable and may easily be made permanent because of the addi- 

 tion of manure hauled from town or made from purchased feeds. 



It should be understood, however, that America still produces a 

 large surplus of grain suitable for human food, and for some years 

 to come more or less of this, especially of corn, will be most profit- 

 ably marketed through the production of live stock. For the 

 live-stock farmer, all must agree with the following statement 

 from Mumford's " Beef Production" (page 13): 



"When we remember that the production of manure of the looo-pound 

 steer for a six-months' feeding period varies from three to four tons, we can 

 appreciate what a factor farmyard manure may become in increasing the 

 revenues of the farm, and that profits and losses in cattle feeding should not 

 stop with a consideration of the cost of cattle and feed and their selling 

 price." 



