2 FEEDING WITH SUGAR BEETS, SUGAR, ETC. 



ative. In this country it is the exception for manures to be the 

 main object in view. 



Present modes. At the present day all these uncertainties have been set aside 

 by the rational introduction of scientific modes of feeding, based 

 upon the physiology of the animal, combined with strict rules 

 of hygiene, and above all by the study of the nutritive value 

 of each element used. 



The agricultural chemist, and the chemists connected with 

 the sugar factories, have accomplished this work almost alone, 

 struggling against the routine which was always opposed to 

 these results, and pointing out that the farmers, controlled by 

 their prejudices, were in the wrong. They, on the other hand, 

 declared that the theoretical man was announcing or enunciat- 

 ing wrong ideas and that the animal itself was the best guide as 

 to the elements that his daily life required. However, science 

 has triumphed in the struggle. 



These studies have related to the transformation of forage into 

 fatty substances, into muscles, tendons, flesh, hair, wool, milk, 

 urine and excrements. They furnish, besides, a complete study 

 of various forages, the effects of which one could almost de- 

 termine in advance. There is, however, in this work something 

 lacking, namely, the complete individual study of the animals 

 being fed; also the manner in which the special product being 

 tested is assimilated. 



It is at the present time recognized that there is no feed that 

 may be considered universal, that is, which contains all the 

 nutritive elements supposed to be necessary for the healthy 

 maintenance of the organism of animals. Hay, however, comes 

 nearest the ideal forage, and for this reason it is taken as the 

 standard of the nutritive value of forage in general. 



Constituents of The chemical composition of a forage permits one to ascertain 

 fodders. within what limits the proposed results may be obtained. For 

 example, nitrogenous constituents are for the production of pro- 

 teid substances, and consequently the muscular tissues. Dur- 

 ing the transformation of their molecules they develop a cer- 

 tain force which is utilized by the changes which occur in 

 the body. The resulting products are burned through the inter- 

 vention of the air inhaled through the lungs, and constitute 



