PART III. 



ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF STOCK 

 FEEDING " 



GENERAL DISCUSSION 



Familiarity with the science, or the principles govern- 

 ing the processes, of stock breeding and stock feeding 

 is highly desirable from the standpoint of the stock raiser. 

 It is not to be asserted that such knowledge is absolutely 

 necessary, for it is well known that we have many suc- 

 cessful stock breeders and stock feeders who know little, 

 if anything, about the principles of the enterprise to which 

 they look with confidence for a competency. Success in 

 farming is dependent more upon a thorough familiarity 

 with the art or practice than with the science or funda- 

 mental principles of the business. The art is the practice 

 of stock feeding. Successful stock feeding practice may 

 be acquired from personal contact and experience, and 

 by carefully observing the methods of our most success- 

 ful feeders. Such experience is acquired, at best, but 

 slowly, and often at great expense. However, a knowl- 

 edge of the scientific principles of stock feeding makes 

 it possible for the inexperienced to learn the art more 

 quickly, at less expense, and withal more thoroughly. 

 Fewer mistakes will be made in stock feeding practice 

 by men who are thoroughly familiar with the principles 

 of the business than by those ignorant of the same. 

 Mistakes in feeding practice are more serious now than 

 formerly, and will become more serious with the lapse 

 of time, because competition will be keener, land and 

 food-stuffs more valuable, and labor more expensive. 



1 Bv tlio author, in " Prac'ieal Farming and Gardening." Rand, 

 McNally & Co., Chicago and Xew York, Publishers. .. 



180 



