by a mismanageraent of the former. Comparatively recent investiga- 

 tions, regarding the principles which control success in feeding farm 

 live stock for various purposes, have greatly improved our chances 

 of profit. Although much needs still to be learned in regard to many 

 details, it is quite generally conceded that some important facts, 

 bearing on the economic*! side of the question, have been fairly es- 

 tablished. 



The introduction of the chemical analysis of fodder articles has 

 made us more familiar with their general character. The influences 

 which affect their composition are, also, better known. A fair 

 knowledge in both directions is, to-day, considered indis|)ensable for 

 a due appreciation of the results obtained in feeding experiments. 

 The latter, carried on under better defined circumstances, have dem- 

 onstrated the important fact, that three distinctly different groups of 

 substances are required for the support of the life of animals. These 

 groups are : nitrogen containing organic substances, commonly 

 called nitrogenous organic matter ; non-nitrogenous organic matter, 

 like sugar, starch, fat, etc. ; and certain saline or mineral substan- 

 ces. Neither one nor two of these groups by themselves can for any 

 length of time sustain animal life ; nor can an}'^ excess of one or the 

 other, contained in the diet used, benefit the animal. The excess, as 

 a rule, is ejected, and can only, if at all, benefit the manure. We 

 know, also, that all our farm plants contain more or less of each of 

 the three essential groups of food constituents. As no single plant 

 or part of plant has proved to any extent to furnish the most nutri- 

 tious, and at the same time the most economical diet for any particu- 

 lar class of animals, it becomes advisable to supplement them with 

 other suitable articles to secure their full benefit. An economical 

 system of stock feeding has therefore, to strive to select among the 

 suitable fodder articles those which furnish the required quantity and 

 proportion of the three essenticd food constituents in digestible format 

 the lowest cost. For more details regarding this point I have to refer 

 to previous annual reports. 



Assuming a similar degree of adaptation of the various fodder 

 articles offered for our choice, the question of cost deserves a serious 

 consideration, when feeding for profit. The actual cost of a fodder 

 article does not depend merely on its market price, but is materially 

 affected by the value of the manurial refuse it leaves behind, when it 

 has served its purpose as food. The higher the percentage of 

 nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash a diet contains, the more valu- 

 able is the manure it furnishes under otherwise corresponding cir- 



