MAINTUAL OF CATTLE-FEEBIIS^G. 447 



all jonng and growing animals utilize a larger proportion 

 of the protein of tlieir food than mature animals, and only 

 lose this power gradually as they approach maturity. A 

 growing animal, then, may economically receive a relative- 

 ly large proportion of protein, thus placing at its disposal 

 an abundance of material for forming new tissue, while as 

 it grows older either the amount must be decreased or 

 more non-nitrogenous nutrients must be added to the ra- 

 tion in order to protect the protein from waste, i. <s., the 

 nutritive ratio must be widened. 



Moreover, the stomach of the young animal does not at 

 once become capable of accommodating and digesting large 

 masses of fodder, and hence itb food must at first occupy a 

 comparatively small buUi — must contain much nutriment 

 in a small volume. It is desirable also that the fodder 

 should not be too watery, for much the same reasons as 

 those adduced mider fattening. 



"When the animals have reached the age of six to nine 

 months, however, the fodder may be gradually made more 

 bulky and less rich in protein and nutritive matters in gen- 

 eral, and roots may now be used more freely than before. 



To obtain good milk cows, especially, the rich feeding 

 must not be continued too long, as it tends to develop an 

 incUnation to fattening rather than to milk production. If, 

 on the other hand, the animals are to be fattened, it might 

 be an advantage to continue a pretty rich feeding. 



In the feeding standards given in the Appendix these 

 considerations have been taken into account. It is to be 

 remarked, in regard to these standards, that they have 

 their basis rather in practical experience than in exact 

 scientific investigation, and, like all feeding standards, are 

 subject to modification both by the experience of the user 

 and the results of further investigation. 



