PREFACE 



THIS Manual has been prepared with two main objects in view: first, to 

 enable students in agricultural schools and colleges to become thoroughly 

 familiar with our more important feed materials, not only as regards their 

 chemical composition and digestibility, but as to appearance, physical prop- 

 erties, and the various conditions that influence their value for stock feeding; 

 and second, to furnish a guide for the use of the feeds in compounding rations 

 that is both scientifically correct and sound from a practical point of view. 

 The aim has been to stimulate independent thinking so that the facts and 

 principles brought out may form a part of the mental equipment of the 

 student that will materially aid him in his later efforts to become a successful 

 stockman. 



The plan of the exercises has purposely been made somewhat flexible, 

 for the benefit of teacher and student alike, since local conditions in different 

 sections and states vary greatly, both as to kinds and cost of the available 

 feeding stuffs, and the feeding practices followed; hence, such special prob- 

 lems as are of more direct value in a particular section may be given the pref- 

 erence. The object of the simple tests given in the Manual is to acquaint 

 the student with some of the common impurities or adulterations of feeding 

 stuffs, which may be readily determined in the classroom without any special 

 equipment beyond a few common inexpensive pieces of apparatus. The 

 microscopic identification of components of feeding stuffs, condiments, etc., 

 has not been attempted, since this requires special training in microscopic 

 technique and a knowledge of the anatomy of plant tissues, as well as 

 laboratory facilities, that may not be available for students taking a course in 

 feeding. 



The Manual is based primarily on the author's book, "Productive Feed- 

 ing of Farm Animals," 1 but it can also be readily used in connection with other 

 text or reference books on this subject. The solution of many of the prob- 

 lems given cannot, however, be found by referring to any one book. The 

 literature on the subject, especially the publications of the various Experi- 



'J. B. Lippincott Company, Publishers, Philadelphia, Perm., Revised Edition, 1916. 

 385 pp. 



