stock feeding suggestions. 39 



Bulletin No. 38. 



FERTILIZER INSPECTION, 1897. 

 The bulletin gave the manufacturer's guarantees, the analyses 

 of manufacturer's samples and of samples collected by the 

 Station, but as these figures are of only passing value they are 

 omitted here. Under "Inspections for 1897," beyond, the 

 requirements of the law and the way it was observed during the 

 year are given. 



Bulletin No. 39. 



STOCK FEEDING SUGGESTIONS. 

 J. M. Bartlett. 



The valuable ingredients in animal foods are ash or mineral 

 matter, protein, fat and a class of compounds called carbohy- 

 drates, of which starch, sugar and crude fiber are the most 

 important examples. Although the ash or mineral matter is 

 essential to the well being of the animal, it is abundantly sup- 

 plied by most materials one is likely to feed, so what one most 

 needs to consider in buying and using cattle foods are protein, 

 fat and carbohydrates. 



A sufficient supply of protein in the food is indispensable. 

 The working animal depends upon it to replenish and repair 

 its working machinery, the growing animal to make muscle and 

 build up its whole system, the sheep to make wool and the milch 

 cow to make the casein and albumen of its milk. No other sub- 

 stance can take its place, or be manufactured into protein by the 

 body. When more protein is fed than is needed for the growth 

 and repair of the body, the excess performs the same functions as 

 the fats and carbohydrates. As a rule, however, this is not an 

 economical use to make of it. It is worth but slightly more 

 than the carbohydrates and about six-tenths as much as fats for 

 this purpose and is, commonly, the most expensive ingredient 

 to produce or buy. 



The office of the other two substances, fat and carbohydrates, 

 is two-fold : First, they serve as fuel and are oxidized or burned 

 in the body to supply heat and force. The fat is worth about 



