Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-26

are able to obtain q large share OF
their feed from roughage. Horses use
considerable, though owing to their
smaller stomach they cannot use as
large quantities as cattle do. Swine
are usually regarded as grain eating
animals. yet they, too, do better for
having some roughage. Mature hogs
will maintain themselves on q good
rape or clover pasture without any
grain at all, and fattening swine will
make greater gain If fed on pasture.
In winter, when pasture Is not availa-
BILE, hogs will eat considerable amounts
of clover or alfalfa hay IL they can get
1t and will be healthier and make bet
ter gains for having 1t.
Another important quality In feed
stuff is its palatability. Stock will
make greater gains on feeds that they
like, even though they contain no more
nutritive material than those that are
not so palatable. Closely related to
palatability is succulence or juciness.
Cows give a large flow Of milk on past
ure not so much because Of Its high
feeding value, but because Of its sue
culence and palatability. Stock OF any
kind will not make the best use OF
their feed If given nothing but dry
hay and grain.
The most satisfactory means OF pro-
viding succulent and palatable feed
during the winter is by the use Of the
silo. Silage has a high feeding value
and is cheap, since from eight to
twelve tons can be raised on an acre.
It finds its greatest use as feed for
dairy cows, but also makes proflta-
BILE addition to the ration Of nearly all
classes of stock.
The most important point to consid-
er in preparing a ration Is the relative
proportion of the different constitu-
ents. Fats and carbohydrates are in
terchangeable and can be considered
together since they both go to furnish
heat and energy or to build up animal
fat. Neither of these substances, how
ever can take the place Of protein,
since neither Of them contains nitrogen.
To build up the muscles, organs and
other parts of the body which require
this element considerable protein must
be fed. The ordinary feeds found on
the farm contain too little protein In
proportion to the other substances. To
secure the best results balanced ra-
tion-that is, one in which the amount
of protein is to the proper proportion
to the amounts Of fats and carbohy-
drates-must be fed.
It can readily be seen that what Is
balanced ration for one class Of stock
may not be for another. Young calves,
colts and pigs require more protein and
ash in their food than do mature ami
mails. A work horse needs large
amounts Of fat and carbohydrates to
supply him with energy, but he also
needs considerable protein to repair
his muscles, which wear out very rap
idly. A fattening steer needs only
minimum amount Of protein, since he
is neither growing nor using his mus
cles. A milk cow needs great deal
of protein and ashe to use in making
milk, together with liberal amount
of the other constituents, to supply
energy and to make into butter fat.
A pregnant animal Is in especial need
of protein and ash to use In building
up the bones and flesh Of its offspring.
All animals need larger quantities Of
the heat forming elements in the win
ter in order to keep the body warm.
Another important point. one that
must not be lost sight Of in preparing
rations for any class Of stock, is the
cost. It makes no difference how di-
gestible, palatable or well balanced a
ration may be nor how rapid gains 1t
will produce, If those gains are put on
at too great an expense the feeding
operations will result in a loss. For
the last two years. for instance, bran
and shorts have been so high in price
that 1t Is doubtful II they could be fed
at a profit. Bran produces large milk
flow when fed to cows, but silage and
clover hay are just as good and cost
only fraction as much.
The question Of how much a farmer
can afford to spend for concentrated
byproducts is always a perplexing
one. Something Is needed to balance
the corn, which Is the principal feed
on most farms. II nothing else Is fed
with corn 1t will not be thoroughly
digested and much Of the nutriment