64 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



Feeding Experiments. 



W H. Jordan. 



There are two methods of judging the value of cattle foods. In 

 common parlance one would be styled "scientific" and the other 

 "practical." Both may be correctly classed as scientific or as prac- 

 tical according to the manner in which they are carried out and 'he 

 standpoint from which they are regarded. Certainly if a conclusion 

 is reached through truly scientific means it must have an entirely 

 practical application, and no conclusion can be safely applied to the 

 management of a business, which has not been reached in a way 

 that is essentially scientific. 



The two methods by which we may study a cattle food in trying 

 to estimate its value, are : First, determine its composition and 

 digestibility and then from known principles and the facts deter- 

 mined derive an opinion as to the place this food will take in stock 

 feeding ; and second, to feed this food to a given class of animals, 

 under conditions as definite and as well controlled as possible, note 

 the apparent results, and base a conclusion upon these. The con- 

 clusions should be the same by both methods provided that on the 

 one hand it is possible to find out not only the amounts but the 

 nutritive office of all the compounds which the food contains, and 

 that on the other hand, perfect control and knowledge of every 

 factor involved in a feeding experiment can be secured. In neither 

 case are we now able to realize a satisfactory standard of work, 

 and so in comparing the two methods it is only a question of which 

 one can be so carried out as to be entitled to the greater degree of 

 confidence. 



Of course the ultimate appeal must in a general way always be to 

 the animal, and the strongest conclusions are those supported both 

 by theoretical considerations and actual results. 



A question may arise, however, where from the standpoint of the 

 chemist a clear answer is givea, which answer is not ratified by the 

 results of a feeding experiment, as to which is at present the more 

 reliable basis of judgmen', the knowledge gaine:! by a chemical 

 study of the food, or the apparent outcome of an actual feeding 

 trial. For instance, it is desired to compare the feeding value of 



