198 PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



Middlings (and short.s) are preeminently a feed for hogs. 

 When cheap enougli, they may make up a large proportion 

 of the rations of gro\\ing pigs and brood sows. With corn, 

 they make a very satisfactory ration for fattening hogs, 

 especially when they have access to pasture. Middhngs 

 may constitute from 25 to 50 per cent of the concentrates 

 of such rations. An excess of middhngs will tend to pro- 

 duce soft pork. Hogs, when fed large amounts of middlings, 

 should have access to a mineral mixture to make up the 

 deficiency of hme in the ration. 



Middlings may be fed to cattle and sheep along with 

 other concentrates, but usually other feeds are better for 

 this purpose. Mixed with ground grain, they are often used 

 for d^airy cattle. They are not used for horse feeding to 

 any great extent, and never should be used except in com- 

 bination with other grain, as they tend to form a pasty mass 

 in the stomach and cause coHc. 



Red dog flour is low-grade flour usually containing the 

 wheat germ. It is rich in crude protein, carbohydrates, 

 and fat. It is not as high in ash as bran or middlings. It 

 is adapted especially for hog feeding, being considered by 

 many stockmen as even superior to middlings for this 

 purpose. Consequently, it usually sells for a higher price 

 than middlings. It also may be used in about the same 

 manner as middlings as a part of the rations of horses, dairy 

 cows, and calves. 



Until one has had some experience ^\ith shorts, middlings, 

 and red dog flour, it is often quite difficult to distinguish 

 one from the others. Perhaps the best way is to taste a 

 little of the feed. Red dog flour immediately rubs up into a 

 fine paste on the tongue. Flour middlings rub up into a 



