144 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



obtain a pomace, the relation of whieli is about 1 : 5 J or 1 : G|. 

 Generally the dry substance amounts to onl}- 5.5 per cent. B3- a 

 slight pressure a quantity of water ma}' be expressed so that the 

 dry substance may increase from 7 to 14.5 percent. B3' submitting 

 this pulp to fermentation water is also lost ; this is proved by the 

 fact that pulp containing 5.4 per cent, of dr}' matter, after ferment- 

 ing in silo contained 6.8 per cent. Beet pomace when mixed with 

 other fodder gives us an excellent food for most of our domestic 

 animals. 



Having now brief!}' reviewed the principal points in regard to the 

 constitution of the various fodder materials, the relative digestibility 

 of their nutritive elements, and glanced at some special points in 

 regard to the principal foods used for animals, it will be well, before 

 going on to the determination of the rations for special animal pro- 

 duction, to get an idea of the part which the various principles con- 

 tained in fodder pla}' in the formation of animal produce. 



Formation of muscle^ (lean meat). It must be the endeavor of 

 the stock raiser to hasten the fixation of albuminoids, that is, he 

 must try to fix as much albumin to the organs of the body as pos- 

 &il)le, as it then has considerable stability, while the albumin found 

 in the liquids of the bod}' is contiuuall}' undergoing changes and 

 decomposition ; 70 to 80 per cent, of the albumin being excreted in 

 the course of twenty-four hours, while organs only lose .8 per cent, 

 in the same time. An over or exaggerated production of muscular 

 tissue is not to be advised, for it only leads to a rapid transforma- 

 tion of albumin, and when a change in the fodder occurs from a 

 highly albuminous one to one poorer in all)uminoids, it is noticed 

 that a certain quantity' of the albumin of the organs is excreted, 

 which would not be the case had the feeding been more scientific. 



The addition of common salt to fodder seems to increase the 

 rapidity of transformations, and it is only in cases in which such 

 rapid changes are necessary that it is advisable to increase the dose. 

 In the alimentation of working oxen and horses, as well as in that of 

 males used for stud purposes, its use is, however, injurious. In the 

 case of fattening cattle, just enough may be given to add to the 

 savor of the fodder and aid in a normal rate of organic exchange or 

 transformation. Salt increases the sensation of thirst in animals, 

 and where water is at their disposal the}' will drink large quantities 

 of it ; it is known that the increased absorption of water increases 

 the quantity of albumin which suffers decomposition. 



