54 



MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



This trial ration falls considerably below the standard in dry- 

 matter and is too wide. We must therefore add a food rich in 

 protein. We will try one pound of linseed meal, old process : — ■ 



Second trial ration for lOOO-pound horse at moderate work 



The second trial ration is still slightly too low in dry-matter 

 and protein, and somewhat too wide in the ratio. From these 

 trial rations we learn the method of calculating ratios. The 

 standard only serves as a general guide from which to estimate ; 

 then one must adapt the ration to suit his conditions. It often 

 happens, as in our trial ration for the horse, that one will have an 

 excess of certain nutrients and it will be of advantage to feed it 

 even though it is not quite so well balanced because of the ex- 

 pense of making the change; in the case above one would have 

 to dispose of food containing much carbohydrates and procure 

 one rich in protein. 



In cases, however, where there is a great departure from 

 the standard, it would pay to make the change, as has been 

 proved by many experiments at the various experiment stations 

 and by the experience of our successful stockmen. 



Other methods of computing rations. — There are two other 

 methods of computing rations for farm animals ; one is some- 

 what simpler than the above and the other much more difficult. 

 In the former the ration is computed on the total amounts of 



