262 THE HORSE 



ARTIFICIAL CONDIMENTAL FOODS 



Various ahtificially prepared foods have been introduced to the 

 notice of the public, under proprietary names. Chemical analysis shows 

 that these foods do not contain more nourishment than the ordinary ones. 

 The following observations in The Field of February 18, 1860, put the 

 matter in its true light, and show that, as a mere article of food, these 

 preparations are far from economical : — 



" It is not surprising, when artificial foods should thus come to be 

 adopted as so much fattening power, that various mixtures should be em- 

 ployed largely impregnated with stimulating substances. They are thus 

 made extremely palatable to the animal, who naturally enough thrives upon 

 the good things provided for him. We will not now stop to inquire how 

 far this stimulus may be permanently beneficial, even admitting the 

 temporary advantage; our object is simply a cash account. If the price 

 of cake, ranging at about <£10 a ton, forms the limit from which any ordi- 

 nary return can be expected, how can an article sold at a price realizing 

 from 300 to 400 per cent, on the cost price of the materials of which it is 

 composed, ever bring any return at all 1 Such savoury condiments, dished 

 up at fi'om £40 to £50 a ton, have no more fattening powers than the 

 ordinary cakes and meals, of which indeed their bulk is principally com- 

 posed. Locust-beans, the different oil-cakes, and Indian corn form the 

 basis of these cattle foods so often paraded before the public, Avith which 

 sundry stimulants, making a kind of curry-powder concoction, are mixed 

 up. This, though it may be highly agreeable, yet at the price above 

 stated forms a most costly addition to the ordinary feeding cost, and an 

 animal once pampered on such material can hardly fall back on ordinary 

 food ; hence the price of fattening is greatly enhanced, but without any 

 increase of the saleable carcass, for there is a natural limit in this direc- 

 tion. A compound at £40 a ton will make no more flesh than oil-cake 

 at £10; but if the farmer approves of and will have the compound, let 

 him simply mix the materials himself. There is no secret in the compo- 

 sition, for the test is at hand in a simple analysis. The following is an 

 ordinary formula : — 



TO MAKE ONE TON OF MEAL. 



Cwt. qrs. lbs. Price. 



Locust-bean, finely ground, at £6 a ton 6 — £1 16 



Indian Corn, at £7 a ton 9 — 330 



Best Linseed Cake, at £10 a ton 300 — 110 



Powdered turmeric, at 8d a lb 40 — 1 6 8 



Sulphur, at 2d. a lb 40 — 6 8 



Saltpetre, at 5^^. a lb 20 — 8 4 



Liquorice, at Is. a lb 27 — 17 



Ginger, at M. a lb 3 — 16 



Aniseed, at M. a lb 004 — 030 



Coriander, at 9d a lb 10 — 7 6 



Gentian, at M. a lb. 10 — 6 8 



Cream of Tartar, at Is. M. a lb 002 — 034 



Carbonate of Soda, at M. a lb 006 — 020 



Levigated Antimony, at 6d a lb 6 — 030 



Common Salt, at io?. a lb 30 1 3 



Peruvian Bark, at 4s. a lb 004 0160 



Fenugreek, at 9f^. a lb 22 — 16 6 



Total 20 — 12 18 5 



