The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-01-15
rRAcrGcAL FAcrs IN FEEDING.


That the outward form-both as to
horses and cattle, as well as of the
smaller classes of farm stock-is of the
highest importance, there can be no
question. Outward shapes are made
primarily by the formation of the frame,
and secondly, by the size and formation
of the muscles. When we have added
to this the placing thereon of becoming
fat deposit, we have the whole story as to
outer contour. Yet these do not give us
the whole truth. They give us the
anatomical formation only, while those
things we cannot look inside and see,
namely, the manifestations of physiology,
the digestive and assimilativc forces, the
tendency 20 rapid growth, to health or
its opposite, requires that we give them
more thought, else our plans of feeding
will be crude, and consequently imper-
feet
When we pair farm animals for work
we select with view to fitness, that one
beast may have no undue advantage over
another; but system of pairing-a suit
able separation of the weak from the
strong-is rarely practiced in feeding.
The beast that needs the best morses is,
as rule, the one that gets the poorest.
There are, as is well known to farmers and
feeders, animals in every collection, no
matter what the breed, that are strong in
appetite, digestion and muscle. These
individuals drive all comers-get the
best of the provender, befouing the re-
mainder. This has reference, of course.
to farm beasts that are fed 'out in the
open, where the weak are required to
compete with the strong, else go without
food.
Regarding the surface as related to the
deep-seated parts in the matter of ability
to yield valuable product and contribute
to the general profit, it is not unfair to
make comparison with the mine; as, in
this case, no matter how attractive those
parts are in sight, we look deeper down
for the main results.
As hinted, no full success can come of
any plan of feeding that sandwiches the
strong and weak together, no barrier
being placed between. Some individual
animals have good digestion, and the as
similative powers are efficient; vet we
make no headway with some of these un-
til we have studied their peculiarities by
placing them in a quiet place, guarantee
ing time to eat in quiet, noting the result
as to rapidity of gains, and pounds put
on from given amount of food.
The beast that drives all and gains
apace, Is not necessarily the best one in
the hord-as feeder. He takes oppor-
tunities that belong to others, and as
stated, wastes feed; hence the balance
sheet cannot be made available in his
case for the purpose of making good
showing No owner ever knows the net g,
neither the gross cost, of such beast
The success attending the feeding of a
herd of cows and heifers, both as relates
TO their feeding qualities and their value
as feeding breeders-the Judgment being
based in part upon department among
their kind-atfords good and safe ground
upon which to select those having quail
ities we are in quest of, obtaining
these as the future mothers of the herd.
Regarding the deep-seated qualities in
feeding animals, the digestion may be
good, while assimilation and the power
10 hold convertible nutrient particles
within the system may be greatly AT
fault Some animals eject in the excreta
much OF that taken in at the mouth.
They are conspicuous as great consumer.
and slow growers, while as to fatness
that is state they never reach. Fol
this reason, it is now and then observed
that some Of the moderate eaters in tn,
herd gain apace, fattening with great
ease and retaining their condition upol
light rations when once they reach gooC
condition. These very desirable qual
titles are not difficult to detect, and poin
clearly in the direction of which should
be retained as breeders.
Young animals promising that the,
are bred right for feeding, feed M
more kindly and promptly than those
tha, arc aged, because digestion is most
vigorous at that period. Unless bred
with great skill for the single purpose OF
feeding, young animals do not fatteu
kindly, all experience showing that when
the attempt is made TO make them fat
they grow, instead of getting ripe
Prairie Farmer.