396 MATflTAL OF CATTLE-FEEDmG, 



ration to perhaps 16 pounds, it is probable that a saving of 

 protein and a somewhat greater gain of fat niiglit be ef- 

 fected. It is to be considered, however^ that l)j making 

 the nutritive ratio so wide (1 : 8) we incur the risk of im- 

 perfect digestion of the protein. (Compare page 280 et seq,) 



Probably the nutritive ratio 1 : 6.5 is as wide as it is ad- 

 visable to use in most cases, and a more rapid fattening 

 could then be caused by simply increasing the total (pian- 

 tity of nutrients per day, leaving the proportions of pro- 

 tein and non-nitrogenous matters unchanged, but using, 

 if necessary, more concentrated feeding-stuffs in order to 

 avoid too bulky a fodder. The quantities of imtrionts 

 recommended in the following paragraphs and in the table 

 of feedhxg standards in the Appendix are calculated for 

 rapid fattening. As already stated, they are largely de- 

 rived from theoretical considerations, and hence are to be 

 taken only as a general guide. 



Prelirainary Feeding. — Cattle tliat are mucli reductHl 

 in flesh and fat cannot be at once quickly fattened. For 

 this purpose they must first be brought into a well-nour- 

 ished condition. It is impossible to render the animal 

 body rich in flesh and fat unless it already contains a cer- 

 tain not too small amount of organized and circulatory pro- 

 tein, by means ctf which only it is capable of digesting, 

 resorbing, and storing up protein and fat 



In order to bring about such a condition, the catile may, 

 for example, be fed for two or three weeks chiefly on clo- 

 ver hay, wath a moderate addition of grain and oil cake, 

 brewers' grains, malt sprouts, beans, or some similar higldy 

 nitrogenous bye-fodder, so that the ration contains, per 

 1,000 lbs. live-weiglit, shoxit 2.5 lbs. of protein and 12.5 

 lbs. of non-nitrogenous nutrients, making the nutritive 

 ratio quite narrow (1 : 5). 



