244 Feeds and Feeding. 



vortli feeding can al'srays grind their own grain. In general, idle 

 animals and those having ample time for mastication, rumination 

 and digestion do not need their grain or roughage prepared as 

 carefully as do those with only limited time for these essential 

 operations. Experiments quite generally show increased gains 

 from grinding grain, but in many cases they are not sufficient to 

 pay the cost of grinding. (848) 



383. Preparing roots. — Boots are prepared for stock either by 

 slicing or pulping. For sheep they should bo cut into small, short 

 pieces. Boots reduced to pulp are fed with chaffed hay and straw 

 to steers and cows with excellent results. The method of prep- 

 aration is as follows: A layer of chaffed hay or straw is spread 

 upon the barn floor and over this is placed one of root-pulp, fol- 

 lowed by chaff, and then pulp again until the heap reaches the 

 desired size. Sometimes oil meal, com meal or other grain is 

 added. After forming the layers the mass is shoveled over 

 until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, after which it is al- 

 lowed to stand untU the next day, by which time a slight fermen- 

 tation has started and the mixture is ready for feeding. This 

 system has value on farms where it is desirable to feed large 

 quantities of straw or low-grade hay which would otherwise be 

 refused or wasted by the animals. The serious objection to the 

 practice is the large amount of labor involved, yet it is advan- 

 tageous la some cases. 



