56 THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



Oppermann were due to parastic infection or contamination of the chic- 

 ory rather than to the plant itself. 



According to Schulz, continued use of chicory "coffee" causes hem- 

 orrhoids and varicose veins as a result of loss of tonus of the blood 

 vessels. 



To avoid poisoning it is suggested that changes in feed be made gradu- 

 ally and that not more than 60 lbs. of chicory be given per 1,000 lbs. 

 live weight. 



In recent years comfrey (Symphytum asperrimum and several other 

 species, S. officinale, etc.) have been cultivated as soiling crops, espe- 

 cially for swine. These are oriental herbs, some of them naturalized in 

 the Middle States. They are very succulent, contain little crude fiber, are 

 rich in protein, and are usually greedily eaten by swine, although cattle 

 care less for them on account of their rough hairy character. The crude 

 protein content is 9.5 per cent, starch value 37.5 per cent. Comfrey is 

 also used as feed for horses, goats, rabbits, geese and ducks. The plant 

 grows well under a variety of indifferent conditions, is not easily extermi- 

 nated and yields well. 



Green potato tops, as a rule, are used as forage only in times of famine. Their 

 use as forage is not wholly unattended with danger, especially when fed in the early 

 stages of growth or when set with fruit. Violent cases of poisoning and even 

 fatalities have occurred among cattle and swine under these conditions (solanin 

 poisoning). The symptoms, in cattle, are colic, tympanitis, diarrhea, cessation of 

 milk secretion, convulsions, throbbing heart action, paralysis, and cutaneous affec- 

 tions such as eczema of the limbs, udder, scrotom, perineum (Johne, Moebius, 

 Roemer, Michaelis) ; in pigs, vomiting, tympanitis, convulsions and paralysis. Dry- 

 ing seems to reduce the toxicity of potato tops, but their palatability also suffers. 

 The best way to utilize this material is to subject it to fermentation as in the prep- 

 aration of "brown hay" (p. 23), Klappmeyers method of haymaking' and ensilaging. 

 Mixed with chaffed hay or straw, it is well liked by cattle and consumed without 

 detriment. Fed in conjunction with ensilaged beet leaves, it has the advantage 

 of neutralizing the laxative effects of the latter. Recently it has been recommended 

 to chaflf the potato tops, adding 4 ounces of common salt to 100 lbs. of the chaff, 

 and steaming. The water is drained off before feeding. Thus prepared it is 

 wholesome and satisfying and cows like it. Formerly the susceptibility of potato 

 tops to attack by disease (Phytophthora and Polydesmus) made their use as forage 

 objectionable, but this is of comparatively little moment today when disease-resisting 

 varieties of potatoes njay be had. The tops of late potatoes (which are more 

 productive and therefore more and more extensively cultivated in preference to the 

 earlier varieties) remain green until the tubers are ready for harvest. The tuber 

 and forage crops may therefore be harvested simultaneously, which is to the advan- 

 tage of the former. 



Thistles. — Various species of thistle, especially the common thistle (Cirsiunt 

 arvense. s. Cnicus arvense — Canada thistle, cursed thistle, (the common thistle of 

 Europe) are frequently used as accessory feed for horses, swine and ruminants. 

 They are usually chaffed before feeding. 



Prickly dyer's broom (Ulex Europceus) is used in some sections as a winter soil- 

 ing crop.^ On account of its prickly nature, it is chaffed before feeding and then 

 crushed in a potato or grain crushing machine, or in a machine especially con- 

 structed for the purpose. Since the seeds of dyer's broom are reputed to be pois- 

 onous, it should be fed before the seed stage. 



Fungi (mushrooms, _ etc.) — Nontoxic fungi not in demand for human food are 

 excellent feed for swine. In nutrient value they are superior to potatoes. They 

 may also be fed to poultry, rabbits and fishes. All edible fungi do not, however, 

 agree with animals. According to Morel, Armillaria mellea (edible) is toxic for 



