FEEDING FOR MILK PRODUCTION 263 



very much, and result in more economical feeding at all 

 times. 



How to avoid Overfeeding. While the statement and 

 illustration given apply to one class of dairy cows, there is 

 another class to which it does not apply, and with which it 

 would lead to a serious mistake in feeding from an economical 

 standpoint. This group includes those of lower productive 

 capacity, which are liable to be overfed, especially when they 

 are in the herds of dairymen, who realize the necessity of 

 liberal feeding. The proper feeding of this group of animals 

 can be made clearer by the following illustration : 



FULL RATION 

 /Pa tion of Ma mtena. ncs fviK~prc>~ciuctitri & d jz < 



used for Used for 



Productien Bo 



ECONOMICAL RATION 



Used, for 

 Ration of Maintenance M//K Product/on 



The line a to d represents the amount of feed that an ani- 

 mal of this class will consume ; a to 6 represents the ration of 

 maintenance, as before. In this case, however, the capacity 

 for making milk is not equal to the capacity of the animal for 

 utilizing feed in excess of that required to maintain the body. 

 The amount which the animal is capable of utilizing for milk 

 production is represented by that portion of the line b to c, 

 while the animal's appetite is equal to the total line ad. This 

 gives a surplus, c to d, which is not utilized for milk pro- 

 duction, but which will be used for storing fat on the animal's 

 body; and we will have the cow gaining in weight while she is 

 producing milk. This gain in weight will be of no service 

 as far as milk production is concerned, except that it is of 



