118 FEEDS AND FEEDING, ABRIDGED 



some of the amino acids necessary for animal growth. Corn is also un- 

 usually low in mineral matter, especially lime (calcium), which is 

 needed in large amounts by growing animals. Indeed, there is but 0.2 

 lb. of lime in 1,000 lbs. of the grain. In feeding corn we must bear in 

 mind these important facts concerning its composition, and correct its 

 deficiencies by supplementing it with feeds high in protein and cal- 

 cium. Fortunately, the legume hays, as alfalfa and clover, are rich in 

 the lacking nutrients, and go far toward balancing a heavy allowance 

 of corn. For fattening cattle and sheep corn and legume hay alone 

 make quite a satisfactory, well-balanced ration. 



A possible explanation of the great fondness of farm animals for 

 corn lies in its richness in oil. Again, on mastication the kernels 

 break into nutty particles which are more palatable than meal from 

 the wheat grain, for example, which turns to a sticky dough in the 

 mouth. 



The corn grain is the chief basis of the production of beef, pork, 

 and mutton thruout the corn belt. For all classes of fattening ani- 

 mals corn may form most of the concentrate allowance, only sufficient 

 of such protein-rich feeds as linseed meal, cottonseed meal, or wheat 

 bran being added to balance the ration. Corn meal is excellent for 

 dairy cows, when mixed with feeds which are bulkier and richer in 

 protein. Trials have shown that when fed to work horses in properly 

 balanced rations corn is a satisfactory substitute for oats. With grow- 

 ing and breeding animals it is especially necessary that corn be sup- 

 plemented by feeds which contain an abundance of protein and mineral 

 matter. The manner in which corn should be used for feeding the 

 various classes of animals is discussed in detail in the respective chap- 

 ters of Part III. 



While corn should be ground for dairy cows, such preparation does 

 not generally pay for horses or pigs. When pigs follow fattening 

 cattle to pick up the grain that escapes mastication and digestion, the 

 steers are most commonly fed ear or snapped corn, or even shock corn. 

 Sheep with good teeth can always grind their own corn. 



Races and types of corn. — Three races of corn — dent, flint, and 

 sweet — are of interest to the stockman. In dent corn the starch is 

 partly hornlike and partly floury, rendering the kernel easy of mas- 

 tication. In flint corn the starch is mostly hornlike and flinty, mak- 

 ing the kernel more difficult for the animal to crush. There is but 

 little difference in the composition of dent and flint corn, and they 

 have the same feeding value. Chemical analysis and experience op- 

 pose the assertion, often heard, that yellow corn is more nutritious 

 than white, or the opposite. In fact, the coloring matter of yellow 

 corn is so minute in quantity as to be unweighable. 



