Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-02-24
Something to Think About.

Even written Science'(truth demonstrate
ed) has to change its base as the ad.
vancement of knowledge runs away from
the old and picks up the new and here.
tOfore unknown. Why shouldn't, then,
the science, so-called, of feeding animals
have to be rewritten as longer study
of the feeding manger displaces our
knowledge taken from the written page?
Dealing with life is complicated prob
lem-the answer never twice alike. No
two animals of any kind are alike, hence
| mathematical calculations can never
bring precisely the same answer.
We have been trying to balance the
ratiOns of our animals with formulas
sent over to us by German investigators.
No question but there is a measure of
truth in their presentations. Some stu
dents of feeding problems, versed in
practice, have questioned the formulas
handed over TO us for guide. Then a
disturbing factor comes in to modify all
rules and ratiOnS in the fact that animals
accommodate their wants in greater or
less measure to differences in rations
placed before them. III that which exact
ly meets their needs is not supplied they
make that which they get meet their
demands in greater or less degree. Thus
it becomes questionable attempt for
any authority, German or American, to
formulate ration best suited for flow
of milk for your COW or to the rapid
growth of your steers.
DIR. W. III. Jordan, who has all his
professional life been close student of
the science of feeding, (if there is any
such science,) and who has conducted
elaborate feeding experiments since his
connection with the Geneva station, in a
lecture this winter dwelt on the impor-
tance of close study of the individual
ity of each animal fed, and condemned
what he very properly termed "mechan-
ical feeding" and also laid great stress
on the consideration of the cost value of
the feeding stuffs provided. These are
factors of the problem of profitable feed
ing that never should be left out of ac-
count.
A noted institute lecturer on feeding
for dairy work, writing to his favorite
paper, says he is feeding homegrown
ration this winter to his winter dairy,
and that the cows are giving their full
usual messes and look "bright" and in
fine flesh. His ration is the home-pro-
duced corn and oats ground together
half and half, with third weight of fine
middlings added. This ration is doing
as well as the all bran and gluten of last
winter.
From these examples, the one high
scientific authority, the other experience
ed in practice, stock feeders should take
notice that those who are considered
authorities on stock feeding repudiate
feeding by rule. The feeder must give
personal attention to the feeding manger
and the animal feeding from it and
should also keep an eye out for the profit
side of their feeding. The balanced
ration, important as it is, loses its value
when ii costs more than it returns. The
feeder who secures marked success from
his work has keen eye to note the re-
suits from his feeding, and takes those
results as a guide to his rations. DR..
Jordan we'll says that 1T is doubtless
true that feeding standards have promot-
ed progress in the feeding of animals,
but on the other hand we have suffered
more or less from unwise standards, and
have at times held exaggerated estimates
of the economic Importance of the nutri-
tive ration" Thus here as in every
other farm operation the man in charge
is called upon to exercise intelligent
attention to the charge in hand.-Maine
Farmer.