Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-24
sic LOSSES IN FEEDiN'
Due to Lack of System i
Measuring and Weigh
ing Rations.
BY w. R. GILBERT. CANADIAN EXPERIMENT
STATION

STATION
II strict accounts are to be kept OF
consumption and supply unvaryias
and systematic arrangements of wei, h.
ing and measuring must be adhered to-;
and while such a course may be fol-
lowed by leisured people and all anxious
to increase their knowledge which al
ways can be impaired to others. very
many of the actively engaged farmers
cannot give such matters sufficient att
tention to meet all cases-or think they
cannot.
Weighing and measuring are a guide
which prevent errors in ali forms. They
enable one to regulate his outgoings and
mornings and to be always acquai,t-i
ed with his position. Without weights
and measures feeding may be done en-
travagantly, indeed supertiuously, or
it is possible too much economy may
be observed. A great deal is zone by
guessing, and the process is generally
futile.
Appropriate and correct weights and
measures of food to suit the require
ments of all classes of animals should
now be known to all. Very many ap-
prove of them and some adhere to them
strictly, while others think they cannot
be far off the mark BY feeding at ran
dom. This may be started fairly ac-
curately, but more or less carelessness
is apt to creep in and in time IL many
were asked how much of the different
foods they were giving to each animal
they would be quite unable to give a
correct reply.
This almost gives the idea that one
Is going on without knowing what is
being done--a very unsatisfactory. po-
sition. Some do not measure and
weigh because they think too much
food would be given. and if given by
guess something will be saved and less
will suffice. 1t is quite as easy to ex-
| coed the correct quantities under such
rule of thumb system as to be I'M
| der them.
Some feeders say that they gave
| more food during certain time to ac-
complish a particular purpose than
they had any idea of or intended, but
uneasiness on that score can never oc-
cur when weighed and measured. as all
actually know what will be needed be-
fore it is either brought in or con-
sumed. 1t is we'll known that all who
are intrusted with the giving of food
to animals are not of the most pains
taking disposition and much more food
is given one day than another, which is
a very incorrect way of feeding. hui
when by measure or weight it is al
most impossible to make mistakes.
| 1t is decidedly announcement tc
| weigh every time, or daily, but meas
ures are most handy, as, whether given
by weight or bulk, the measure will
always indicate it. If four pounds, five
pounds or six pounds of cake or mea.
have to be given, weigh it, empty i
into measures, note the part it fills;
then it can be portioned out as quickly
Ias shoveling it. Mangels and chat
can be treated in the same way, an6
grain and other foods for horses SHOULD
always be measured.
In mixing up large heaps of food fol
a batch of animals it should be
weighed or measured out according tt
the number, mixed well and again dis.
tributed by measure, but not always ir
equal proportions. This is an impor.
tant matter. In a batch of, say, COWS
that are giving milk, some will be Civ
ing full supply, others not more thar
half and some less than this. To give
all equal weight and measure and q
full allowance would be quite suitable
for those in full profit, but it would
never pay to feed the half dry ones al
the same rate; and when feeding ha.
to be done in this grading fashion con
siderable time and intelligence should
be exercised, as it is here economy il
feeding may be wrought or extrava.
| 5ance INDUCED in
The same rule applies to horses
Those that are worked hardest should
'eceive the most food; but the same
method that would feed all cows alike
would apply the rule to the horses ant
'ther animals, too, and it is insupport
able in all instances particularly il
dealing with the more expensive foods