58 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



Three samples of nearly every food were taken in as many differ- 

 ent towns, in order to obtain some idea of the amount of variation 

 in the composition of the same brands. The detailed analyses 

 showing the composition of the samples collected are given in 

 tabular form on page 59. Furtheron is shown the amounts of digesti- 

 ble nutrients calculated from the average of the analyses of each 

 food, and these figures possibly may be of some service to the 

 intelligent farmer in buying and feeding economically. In the 

 report of this Station for 1888, page 108, can be found the method 

 for calculating rations, and on the following pages, feeding stand- 

 ards, composition of American fodders, their digestibility, etc., 

 that farmers can make use of in making up rations. 



It is undoubtedly true that the intelligent buyer can materially 

 lessen the cost of feeding his animals by studying the composi- 

 tion of the foods offered for sale, and buying those which will fur- 

 nish the nutrients he especially needs, at the lowest price. For 

 instance it will be seen below that a little more digestible protein, 

 fat and carbohydrates can be obtained frooa fifty pounds of wheat 

 bran and fifty pounds middlings than from one hundred pounds of 

 oats. The bran and middlings at present prices, would cost about 

 $1.00, while the oats would cost about $1.25. Again if one has a 

 fodder rich in carbohydrates and wishes to buy protein to make a 

 proper ration, it could be much more cheaply obtained in cotton- 

 seed or gluten meal, or any food rich in protein, than in corn meal 

 which is poor in protein, providing the large amount of carbohy- 

 drates the corn contains is not needed. 



The reverse would also be true if one wished to buy carbohy- 

 drates, they could be more cheaply purchased in corn meal than in 

 cottonseed meal or gluten meal. It is not possible for us to say 

 which foods are always most economical, because prices fluctuate 

 so that what would be true to-day might not be true three months 

 hence, but the buyer must ascertain his needs, study the composi- 

 tion of the foods in the market, and their prices, and use his own 

 ju Igment in purchasing. 



