14 FEEDING WITH SUGAR BEETS, SUGAR, ETC. 



pulp to fodder, there would follow a decrease in protein con- 

 sumption. As to the advantages of a wide nutritive ratio, 

 there is much to be said. If the limit is passed the fodder will 

 not contain sufficient protein for the requirements to sustain life, 

 and the reserve supply is drawn on with a corresponding loss of 

 weight; furthermore, the fat of a ration is one of the expensive 

 elements, and the amount to be used is a matter of considera- 

 tion depending upon the market value of feeding stuff. If, 

 upon general principles, it can be admitted that the action of 

 carbohydrates is about the same as fats, one would generally 

 find them the more economical. 



Ruminating animals when left to themselves consume large 

 quantities of carbohydrates. If animals are fed simply for 

 maintenance they should be given a proportionately small per- 

 centage of protein, but it should be supplied, even though in a 

 minimum quantity, as the cattle cannot live without it, and 

 there can no substitute be found for it. 



A wrong The feeding and fattening of steers with beet residuum 

 impression. CO ssettes is carried on upon a very extensive scale in several 

 of the Western States, and a few facts relating to the same 

 are mentioned elsewhere in this writing. Such combinations as 

 are there used would hardly be practicable in the Eastern States. 

 In what follows we propose to give only a general outline of the 

 requisites for the practical and theoretical feeding and fattening 

 of young cattle and steers, the outcome of the experience of 

 most of the experiment stations and of the leading American 

 and foreign authorities, combined with some personal observa- 

 tions of the writer. Upon general principles it seems very 

 simple to purchase at the commencement of the winter a lot of 

 semi-starved animals, and to feed them upon rations consisting 

 of beet-sugar factory residuum products combined with other 

 forages. The increase of weight is at first encouraging, but 

 towards the end of the fattening certain difficulties arise. The 

 consideration of the advantage of certain foods over others in 

 combination with either fresh or dried pulp or any molasses 

 combinations would take us beyond the scope of the present 

 writing; the local environment has its influence in this respect, 

 and while certain forages may be found to be very superior 



