Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-09-01
A Balanced Ration for Horses and Mules


indisposed from the attempt of the owner
10 maintain them on too large pro-
portion OF rough food low in digestible
nutrients. Nature has put a limit on
the capacity Of the horse for utilizing
this character OF food. and II is quite
clear that the animal will not be able
to remain in a normal state of health
and perform work when an attempt is
made TO derive the greater part of the
nutrition from coarse feed relatively low
in dlgestible nutrients.
II would appear from the data present
ed that the feeding of a definite combine
ton Of food elements will lessen the cost
Of maintenance. increase the efficiency OF
the ration and the service obtained from
the animals. and prolong their period Of
usefulness. Further. that rations for the
horse will vary in character and amount
from those fed to other classes of live
stock, and that they must be adjusted not
only to the needs of individual animals,
but fed in proportion to age aud the
service required OF the individual
Admitting that rations are desirable
and essential, II will be well to next con-
slider the practice ordinarily pursued on
the majority OF our Georgia farms and
ofIer such suggestions relative to the
Improvement of the ration as seem ad-
visable. To do this intelligently It will
first be necessary to select some scientific
line Of discussion, for it is manifestly inn
possible in a single paper to consider all
the. factors entering into the economic
nutrition OF work stock Believing that
the consideration Of rations for horses
and mules at heavy work is the subject
OF the most general interest at this time
this phase of the topic has been selected
for special emphasis.
According to standards worked out not
only in Europe. but in America as well,
a 1.OOo-pound horse at heavy work re-
duires per day % pounds OF diges.-.,c
protein. Is pounds Of digestibIe carbohy-
drates and s OF a pound Of digestible fat
Since fat produces 225 times asf much
heat per pound as carbohydrates. the fat
should be multiplied by this factor and
added 10 the carbohydrates: then uIvide
the product obtained by the protein. and
the nutritive ratio is secured which in
this instance would be Lie.
In Georgia the average ration used at
present consists OF mixed hay or some
form OF corn fodder fed ad libitum. It
Is probable. however. that the ordinary
animal does not consume over u TO Ia
pounds per day. With the above rough
ness from u 10 Is pounds OF corn is
fed. a fair average probably being IA
pounds. An examination into the diges-
tive coefficients OF the foodstuffs under
consideration shows that tnss ration con-
tains about 1.s2 pounds of digestible pro-
TEN. 1-2i pounds Of carbohydrates and
- OF a pound Of fat with a nutritive
ratio of 1:S7. Comparing this with the
standard Il Is seen 10 be widely at vari-
ance with the ascertained requirements
OF the horse or mule at heavy work.
Why such a marvellous degree of fndif-
ference toward the proper nutrition OF
this class OF stock2 IL is due entirely
TO the newness OF the subject and fail
ure to appreciate the Importance OF the
issues involved. The chances are that
most planters believe the ration can not
be satisfactorily balanced except at great
labor and cost Therefore, they have
abandoned the undertaking. preferring
TO suffer the ills which afflict their. live
get out Of the rut into which they have
fallen
AS a matter of fact. the addition OF two
pounds Of cotton seed meal to the ra-
ton viii cnange it's character altogether
and will provide the elements needed ac-
cording to the standard in almost the
exact amount. In other words, the addi-
ton OF two pounds OF cotton seed meal
changes the digestible protein from 1.S2
to 30. and the nutritive ratio from 1;S.7
10 1:e-3 Cotton seed meal is cheaper
than corns as source of protein 1t is
the cheapest known foodstuff Since pro-
tein has to do with the development Of
nerves and muscles. stamina. energy and
the general balancing up of the bodily
function. II is an element Of incalculable
value in the ration OF horses and mules.
Yet by simply replacing two pounds of
corn with two pounds OF cotton seed
meal the ration Is made almost ideal
in all respects. The farmer uses for
the improvement OF his ration q home
grown product: he makes It possible to
secure a greater efficiency from his ami
mails. and he prolongs their period of
service. He also adds to the feeding
value OF the corn and other foods en-
tering into the ration, and supplies at
low cost one of the most important and
essential elements in the ration.
c. 3. c.. Macon. Ca. When is the
proper time TO cut peavines for hay
Peavines should be cut for hay Just
when the pods and lower leaves begin
TO turn yellow. II cut earlier the iarg-
est amount OF nutriment will not be Sc
cured. II later the leaves will shatter
on badly. 1t is important to save the
leaves as they are very rich in diges-
tible protein.
DESTROYING GRASS AND WEEDS
on A TTNNIs COURT.
c. E r., Greensboro. Ga, writes:
Please tell me what to grow on land to
keep vegetation from growing thereon. /
want to build a tennis court and want TO
keep the grass from growing on Ii.
Grass and weeds may be kept from
growing in tennis courts and walks ~
the systematic application of any OF the
following materials: Hot brine, prepared
in the proportion OF one pound of salt
TO one gallon of water. Boil in a kettle
and distribute by means OF a watering
pot. Lime and sulphur may ALSO be used
in the following proportions: Ten gallons
OF water. % pounds OF quick lime and 2
pounds OF sulphur. Boil these materials
in an iron vessel. After settling. pour OFF
the clear part and use as indicated. oil
OF vitriol may also be used in the proper
ton OF one part TO 30 parts OF water; ap-
ply with a watering pot. Choose clear
evening after a hot day for the work
The pot should be well paintsd or a
wooden pail used. one ounce OF carbohc
acid to one gallon OF water will also
prove effective. These treatments will
have TO be repeated from time to time.
SUGGESTIONS ON sILO coNSTRUc-
TON