USES OF OATS 



309 



are not as laro-eJy used for these classes ot live stock because of 

 the relatively high price as compared with other concentrates. 

 They are not adapted to swine, because of *heir hi^h r^Prrentage 

 of cmde fiber due to the hulL Oats are used largely In connec- 

 tion with and interchangeably with maize. If one is more 

 plentiful, and, therefore, cheaper than the other, it is used more 

 abundantly. Hence in considering the possibility of a rise or 

 fall in price of either, the combined yield of the two cereals 

 must be ascertained. In the Southern States, where it is diffi- 

 cult to grow our tame grasses for pasturage and hay, special 

 varieties have been developed for this purpose. (^Sj) When 

 cut in the milk and properly cured they make a palatable and 

 nutritious food for domestic animals, (s^s) 



Oat straw is preferred to wheat and rye straw as food for 

 cattle and sheep, and by some for bedding, although it will not 

 last as long, hence is less generally purchased for this purpose. 

 It is less valuable than either for the manufacture of paper. 



419. Oats for Human Food. — As prepared for human food, 

 they are the most nutritious of our cereals. The consumption 

 of oatmeal has increased enormously in recent years, and has 

 led to the introduction of many other forms of so-called break- 

 fast foods. Oatmeal is especially adapted to people living in 

 northern climates or those having plenty of outdoor exercise. 

 It is said that in eastern Scotland the unmarried plowmen lived 

 solely on oatmeal and milk, except in the winter, when they 

 sometimes got potatoes. They were allowed seventeen and 

 one-half pounds of oatmeal weekly, and three to four pints of 

 milk dailv. This formed their sole diet, with no other cooking 

 than boiling water stirred into the meal. These men were 

 strong and healthy. The witty Dr. Johnson sarcastically 

 remarked : " Oats is a grain fed to horses in England, but eaten 

 by men in Scotland." "Yes,' said a Scotchman, "and I have 

 noticed tiiat thev ^row the best of horses in England and the 

 oest ot men in Scotland " 



