7o6 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



percentage of water and small amounts of nutrients. The use of such 

 materials for horses has been attempted at different times with varying 

 successes, but they are not used to any great extent in this country, 

 although quite common in Europe. Carrots are often fed as "con- 

 ditioners." For that purpose their value is high, but for actual nutri- 

 tion it is very low. 



Fruits. — Apples, dates and prunes have been fed in the regions where 

 they thrive, when the price was sufficiently low. Such foods are of 

 little or no use, with the possible exception of apples. 



Injuriotts feeding-stuffs 



In feeding the horse precautions should always be taken to avoid 

 materials harmful in themselves, or those which may become harmful. 

 Dirt, sticks, small stones and the like should be removed from the grain 

 before feeding. All feeding-stuffs should be cleaned. 



Millet hay when fed in large quantities is considered injurious to the 

 horse. It is reported that it produces increased action of the kidneys, 

 causes lameness and swelling of the joints, destroys texture of the bone, 

 and the ligaments and muscles are torn from their places when the 

 animal attempts to move. 



Ergot. — Plants which are ordinarily wholesome may become harmful 

 if infested with ergot. Some investigators say that it causes rheumatism 

 in the horse and that it may cause pregnant mares to abort. 



Feeds that are ordinarily wholesome may under certain conditions 

 be harmful. There is a widespread prejudice against mouldy or decom 

 posed feeding-stuffs. li; has been shown that the continued feeding of 

 mouldy corn induces intestinal and nervous disorders of a serious nature. 



Foods that influence digestion 



Some foods, in addition to the nutrients they furnish, exercise an 

 influence on the digestion so favorable as to place their value far 

 above what is represented by the nutrients which they contain. The 

 influence thus exerted tends to correct the harmful results that grow 

 out of constipation or undue laxity of the bowels. Because of this, 

 when used mainly to give proper tone to the digestion the real value 

 of such foods is usually far above their market value. When fed 

 for such use, small and moderate, rather than large quantities should 

 be supplied. This list of foods includes all kinds of field roots, as 

 carrots, turnips, rutabagas, parsnips and the like; such by-products 

 as bran, oil meal of various kinds, and condiments; such hays as alfalfa 

 and clover, and green grass. 



