VARIATION IN RATION. 59 



* 



been recommended that the carbohydrates be increased T V and 

 protein ^ for every 5 C. fall below 12 C. 



The composition of a ration should vary not only with the Variation in 

 animal but with the object in view. If it is simply to keep the stan(laro<s - 

 animal in good condition, then its fodder would be a main- 

 tenance ration. In case of cows giving milk there is another 

 element that must be considered besides that of furnishing the 

 body with its requirements, which is that of meeting the drain 

 that the milk production requires. While animals may be 

 made to feed upon stuffs that their nature did not origin- 

 ally intend, they do not under these circumstances retain their 

 original constitution. Animals, for example, in zoological 

 gardens are kept alive on foods that they would have declined 

 under normal conditions. There follows a great change in their 

 characteristics. When the question of fattening is to be con- 

 sidered, then the problem is to force the consumption of rations, 

 which is accomplished by furnishing an ample amount of con- 

 centrated stuffs, and these may consequently be considered as 

 additional rations. Just as man eats bread to represent volume 

 in the stomach, which is one of the essentials of perfect diges- 

 tion, live stock must have a certain amount of coarser elements 

 added, the volume of these depending upon the cases under 

 consideration. The coefficient of digestibility depends upon 

 the age of the animal; when very young it requires considerable 

 protein and phosphoric acid, and the nutritive ratio should be 

 as near as possible to that of green grass. As the years advance 

 the ratio gets smaller. Calculations of this kind are no easy . 

 matter, and are not within the power of an average farmer; but 

 we consider -that very accurate results may be obtained from 

 certain practical rules. 



Rations should vary in their composition. Whatever be the Variation in ra- 

 advantage claimed for cossettes, beet leaves and their varied 

 combinations, it is never desirable to keep the ration of the 

 same composition for too long at a time, as live stock in general, 

 like men, need a change in the diet, and their general health is 

 improved in a very important measure by these changes. The 

 variation should not consist in a different food at each meal of the 

 same day. Cows or live stock are individuals of habit, and ex- 



