The Harrison times., 1915-11-13

ne sent Tree for those who may de-
eide later to undertake the course
=. II: Miller Director Cooperative ES-
tension Work.
!. Principles Of Animal Nutrition.
In order to fully appreciate the inr-
portance OF animal production one
| must consider that as human beings
we depend upon the raw soil for food
and raiment It would indeed be
| difficult matter had not kind provi-
dence provided plants and animals to
| aid us in our struggle for existence
The plant, with its root system pene-
trates the soil and with the aid Of va
| rious agencies, is able to gather for
itself from among the eighty or more
elements those which are peculiar to
| its needs and with the aid of the suns
| rays elaborate them into its body and
fruit. The animal, on the other hand,
browses the growing plants or con-
sumes the gathered forage, and by
means Of its process of digestion is
capable OF reducing plant life into
forms so simple that they may enter
the animal body and there take on the
forms Of flesh. fleece and power.
Because Of this close relationship
! existing between plants and animals,
ii is therefore not at all strange that
! upon analysis by the chemist, plant
and animal tissues contain similar
compounds which for our convenience
have been grouped into four groups:
namely, ash or mineral matter, pro-
tein, carbohydrates and fats From
the standpoint of animal production
we will contine our considerations to
these groups OF compounds
The muscle or flesh, hide, hair,
blood and such parts of the animal
BODY are composed largely of com.
pounds found in the group known as
proteins. The Development of sucn
tissues takes place largely during the
growth Of the animal, as each of these
NiocuNo 10 maui up VI hldHN CtllO
which during growth increase in size
, and in number After the animal
reaches maturity only sufficient
amounts OF these compounds are nee
essary to replace wear and tear The
logical conclusion would be that grow
I ing animals should have foods rich ii
protein compounds, as a very pecu-
liar condition exists whereby only pro-
tein compounds Of plant or animal
foods can form protein compounds in
the animal body, Compounds from the
other three groups can not serve the
purpose. We find in the plant king
dom that certain classes of plants
contain greater percentage of these
protein compounds than others. Fore
most among them is the class of
plant known as legumes. Legumes
such as alfalfa, clover, peas, beans,
vetch and other should because Of
their protein content be desirable
feeds for growing animals, Factory
by-products such as oil meal, cotton
seed meal, gluten meal dried brewers
grains wheat bran, and others are al.
so rich in protein compounds.
The ash or mineral matter is found
largely in the skeleton Of animals
AS with protein the greatest demand
for mineral matter such as lime, phos.
phorus and others comes during the
growing period of the animal because
it is then that the rapid increase in
size calls for rapid increase of the
bony framework.
Carbohydrates which includes
starches, sugars, and fiber are not
found except in very small quantities
in the animal boly, but are the main
source Of fat and heat in the body.
When fed in moderate quantities they
are stored in the liver and muscle tis.
sue in the form Of glycogen or animal
starch and used for maintaining the
body temperature, II fed in large
quantities they are changed into the
more stable fat For mature animals
where the object is to fatten or dur.
ing seasons of the year where tempe
ratures are low, the feeding Of feeds
rich in carbohydrates would be ad,
yisable, Most Of our cereal grains ana
our coarse folders are rich in carbo.
hydrates During work n great deal
Of heat Ia evolved, so that carbohy.
drates arN more economical as a rule
for work stock to certain extent