DESCRIPTION OF FEEDING-STUFFS 189 



investigations have not upheld this view. In the 

 rearing of rapidly growing foals, weak calves, 

 lambs, and young pigs good results are often seen 

 when peas or beans are added to the food. 



The leguminous seeds are given, either ground, 

 crushed, or soaked ; the seeds of serradella, which 

 are used in the same way, are reported to be a very 

 satisfactory food. 



Lupine seeds, of whatever variety, contain sub- 

 stances with a very bitter taste, and these diminish 

 the appetite of animals and also enter into the milk 

 and butter. Sheep eat the seeds in the natural state 

 the most readily of any animals. After the re- 

 moval of the bitter principle (p. 143), which should 

 always be done, they yield a food which is suitable 

 for all kinds of animals. Horses may be given up 

 to 10 Ibs., fattening oxen up to 1 8 Ibs., cows up to 

 8 Ibs. of the wet, non-bitter seeds, which are best 

 fed in crushed form, mixed with chopped hay or 

 straw. 



(c) Oily seeds. 



These are seldom used as food on account of 

 their high price. An exception is made in the case 

 of linseed, which, when crushed and stirred with 

 hot water, gives a mucilaginous mass with a par- 

 ticularly salutary and soothing effect. 



Linseed, or flaxseed, is used principally for feeding 

 calves, or for its sedative action when the digestive 



