98 THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



and 35 per cent respectively. As a fattening and energy-producing feed 

 soy beans are most successfully fed in a coarsely ground state. 



d. Miscellaneous Seeds 



Flaxseed, derived from cultivated flax {Liniim usitatissimum) is highly 

 nutritious and of great dietetic value. Its high market value prevents 

 its more extended use as a feeding stuff. 



Flaxseed contains 18 per cent digestible albumen, 11.9 per cent starch 

 value, 36.5 per cent crude fat and 23 per cent nitrogen-free extract. ' 



The nutrients contained in flaxseed are in a high degree digestible. 

 They contain a lare quantity of substances that dissolve into a slimy mass 

 in water and have a very favorable effect upon the digestive organs. 

 Flaxseed is principally used in special diets for catarrhal conditions of 

 the digestive organs, in conjunction with irritating feeding stuffs (raw 

 potatoes) and in the nourishment of weakly animals. It is also used for 

 recently weaned calves and to replace the fat in skim milk. For the 

 latter purpose about 1;^ ounces of ground linseed (linseed meal) should 

 be added to 1 quart of boiled milk while still warm. Linseed is also fed 

 to mares with suckling colts and to milk cows, at the rate of 1 pound 

 per 1,000 pounds weight, in the form of meal, dry or as a broth. 



The seed of field spiirry (not adapted to the hot summers of the 

 United States) is fed to horses in a crushed state, and to cattle crushed 

 and scalded. It is well liked by these animals. The seed, like the plant 

 itself, is said to have a favorable effect upon the secretion of milk. 



Turnip seed and rapeseed (Brassica rapa and B. napa) are sometimes 

 used to increase the fat content of rations, principally for fattening cattle, 

 in quantities up to 3 pounds per day. They should be fed ground. Their 

 dietetic effect is about the same as that of oil cake prepared from the 

 same material. 



Hempseed {Cannabis sativa) is used like rape and in addition is a 

 common feed for run-down horses. It is also fed to breeding males to 

 stimulate sexual desire. 



Beechnuts (Fagus sylvatica), which contain 10 per cent digestive albu- 

 men and 86 per cent starch value, are occasionally fed to swine and fat- 

 tening cattle, crushed or cooked, in moderate amounts. They should not 

 be fed to horses because they contain a base resembling trimethylamin 

 (fagin) which is apt to cause violent poisoning in these animals (colic, 

 cerebrospinal irritation, cardiac paralysis). Fed to excess they produce 

 soft bacon in swine and soft butter when fed to cattle. 



Acorns (Quercus rubor) and horse-chestnuts {Msculus hippocastanum 

 [^. glabra, Ohio buckeye]) contain, when fresh, 1.5 per cent digestible 

 albumen, 34 per cent starch value and 50 per cent water. On account of 

 their high water content they are subject to moldiness. This may be 

 overcome by storing in thin layers, frequent turning, artificial drying or 

 reduction to flakes and subsequent drying. 



