256 PROFITABLE STOCK RAISING 



silage, nor is any kind of roughage so cheap. From 

 20 to 40 pounds may be fed to each animal daily, 

 dependent upon the other feed, and the feeder is 

 fortunate who can feed clover or alfalfa with the 

 above. 



WHEN CROWDING WITH FEED 



"The three months now being considered are the 

 three finishing months of feeding the animals that 

 are to be disposed of June I. Such animals should 

 not be finished on grass. It would be difficult to 

 maintain the gains on grass at so early a period. 

 Up to March I the feeding would be, in a sense, 

 preliminary to the final finishing. The heaviest 

 feeding of grain, therefore, would take place dur- 

 ing these three months. During these months of 

 crowding it is necessary to feed at least a limited 

 amount of some food that will tend to keep the 

 digestion in tone. When the digestion gets out of 

 tone, the fact is usually disclosed by the condition 

 of the droppings. The odor from them is offensive 

 in proportion as the digestion is overtaxed. To 

 prevent this, oilcake or wheat bran should be used. 

 Oilcake is dear, but one or two pounds a day per 

 animal will probably more than pay. During these 

 finishing months, the animals cannot be watched 

 too closely lest they get off feed. The aim should 

 be to crowd them along, but not to overcrowd. It 

 is the steady and continuous gains that should be 

 sought, rather than rapid gains followed by slow- 

 ing-up periods. As the weather gets warm in May, 

 much watchfulness is necessary lest the animals 

 shall lose appetite, and, in consequence, cease to 

 gain. If they are to be kept longer than June I 

 they should be finished on grass, accompanied by 

 a limited amount of grain." 



