The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-12-14

], which represents the amount of protein
yielded by the crops commonly raised in this
section. In this table is given the total protein
kaud also that digestible; 1t is this latter that
concerns us most, as 1t is only that protein
which s digestible which Can be used III the
animal economy.
Let us turn our attention to table q Here
| we find some crops not common among us,
yet ones that can be easily grown. Average
| crops of these plants yield very much more
| digestble protein than any of those common
| ly grown with US. OF those given the cow
| pea for sisge and hay, is probably the most
| promising yet when good stands of Alfalfa
| can be procured il would be the N ost desirable.
| Now look at table 3, and notice that the
amount of protein gotten through either cow
| pea hay or sils ge is double that produced in
| our standard feed-wheat bran. This would
| mean at present prices, that al acre of cow
| peas would produce an equivalent of $35
! worth of protein If purchased in bran; or that
an average acre of alfalfa would yield bran
equivale mt of s57.75. This would mean that
6 acres of alfalfa would give us as much pro-
| tein as we get in 20 ton car of wheat bran.
| The crops named in table have an advant-
| age for the farmer in that they are legumcns,
hence nitrogen gath and soil improvers,
which must not be overlooked. Barley and
oats do not have even these points to their
credit.
A glance at the nutrtive ratio, as given in
table 2, makes 1t evident that by following
| ordinary proportions of grain and fodder that
we still would fall short of having the protein
and carbohydrates in the proportion designat-
| ed as q balanced ration. Here let me say a
word relative to the German standard rot
being adapted to our climatic conditions.
When we are called to purchase protein. as
most feeders are, where can it be gotten
cheapest2 When it is desired to procure pro-
| tein only, and we have abundance of carbohy-
| drates which can, as rule, be produced cheap
er than they can be purchased, the aim should
be to get the most concentrated protein feed
compatible with price and any other co" d.
| lions that may enter into their use.
The fl CURES given in table show, that at
| the present market conditions, protein can be
| gotten cheapest in cotten-seed meal yet if we
were DESTROYS of a feed for pigs we should
| look to some other source as cotton seed meal
| will kill pigs. The next cheapest source is
gluten meal. The most expensive source of
protein at present mark ct prices is wheat bran
The most recent results or experiments in
| plant improvement by breeding and selection
indicate that we can do a great deal toward
increasing the protein content of the crops
raised on our farms by improving the breeds
of our plants. We all know that special
qualities of animals have been produced by
selection and breeding. Plants are not unlike
animals in this respect.
Table exhibits what is to be expected in
/, this direction if the highest types were found
and simply used as basis. From this table
We see that there are great possibilities even
with the crops which have been commonly
raised In this section for years. The great st
possibility seems to rest with the corn crop.
And in this connection surely if we read
Alright the signs of the times, this great Ameri-
can corn plant, which covers this continent
annually with almost forest. is destined, not
only to feed the nation, but also in a large
measure to furnish the paper for our news,
the covering for our floors, the powder for
our armies, the protection for our navy and
the leather for our shoes.
1t must be remembered that when the pro-
tein content of the crop is increased the car
bohydrates are diminished proportionally; so
you can well understand that If the ex preston
of table d is realized, there would be no diff.
Guilty in balancing a ration with the products
of the farm. and then we would be on equal
footing to compete with our western brother
in milk and meat production.
1t would not be amiss for us to look over the
field and see if sufficient inducements could
be offered for those industries to locate in our
midst that would offer a market for our
starch-producing plants, leaving the rich pro-
tein residues so that they could be purchased
cheaply at our doors.
In conclusion let us remember that there is
much in the adage that THE eye of the Master
fatten eth his CATTLE