196 



DESCRIPTION OF FEEDING STUFFS 



its forming a jelly with warm water, and because of its favorable 

 influence on the health and appearance of farm animals. Owing 

 to its relatively high oil content (6 to 8 per cent), it is somewhat 

 more laxative than new-process meal, which contains only about 

 3 per cent fat, and it gives a thrifty appearance to stock, producing a 

 fine, shiny coat, soft to the touch, which is of special importance in 

 the case of exhibition stock. The nutritive effect of the two kinds 

 of meal may, in general, be considered nearly similar. The old- 

 process meal has some advantage as a feed for fattening animals, 



FIG. .37. Cross-section of flaxseed showing the different layers of cells: c, cuticle; q, 

 mucilage cells; s, stone cells; pi, pigment cells; p, protoplasm and oil; a, aleurone (protein) 

 grains; when soaked in water the mucilage cells well and form the peculiar flaxseed jelly. 



for show stock, and in combination with dry feed or feeds of con- 

 stipating tendencies ; when given with feeds of a laxative influence, 

 such as green fodders, roots, and silage, or where a large supply 

 of protein is important, as is often the case in feeding milch cows, 

 the new-process meal may be preferred. Linseed meal manufactured 

 from ripe flaxseed contains no sugar or starch; the nitrogen-free 

 extract consists largely of mucilagenous substances. 



The Swelling Test. 8 It is of interest to determine at times whether a 

 linseed meal is old- or new-process. The following simple test can be made 



8 Wisconsin Report, 1895, p. 64; "Examination of Oil Meals," by 

 the author. 



