BY-PRODUCTS OF OIL PRODUCTION 113 



The refuse of these processes consists of oil cake or cake meal and 

 extract meal. 



Digestibility and wholesomeness. — Vegetable oil by-products are rich 

 in fat and protein and highly digestible (80 to 90 per cent). The digesti- 

 bility of the nitrogen-free extract and crude fiber varies considerably 

 according to the amount of hulls and skins present. Since these by- 

 products have a weakening effect upon the digestive organs and not 

 infrequently cause diarrhea, they should be supplemented with salt or 

 with feedingstuffs containing this mineral. 



Disadvantages. — When improperly stored, the by-products in question, 

 especially when they contain approximately 20 per cent of water (normal 

 10 to 12 per cent), are liable to become rancid or moldy or to decompose 

 through the activity of bacteria. Thus fed, they are liable to disturb the 

 health, to a slight or to a very serious extent, or even to cause fatal dis- 

 ease. 



Valuation. — Oil cakes are considerably richer in fats than the meals 

 obtained from extract processes. The latter are often put on the mar- 

 ket under the misleading name of oil-cake meal. The guaranties on 

 these products are often given in general or common terms for the 

 protein and fat, which is intended to give the impression that the ma- 

 terial in question is a press product, not an extract product, and conse- 

 quently rich in oil. 



In addition to fraudulent practices of the character just enumerated, 

 the by-products of vegetable oil manufacture are frequently adulterated 

 with the seeds of worthless weeds, hulls, shells, peelings, and with other 

 low-grade oil cakes and oil meals, or even mineral matters. The great- 

 est care should therefore be observed in the purchase of these materials 

 and a guaranty of the exact content of protein and fat required, as well 

 as a guaranty of purity and soundness. In addition, the guaranty should 

 be controlled by a state institution that makes it its business to verify 

 the same, upon request. (In reference to detection of adulterations, see 

 special chapter.) 



Uses. — Oil factory by-products are used chiefly as fattening feeds 

 (meat and fat production) and for milk cows. In order, however, not 

 to sacrifice quality for quantity, in the resulting products, moderation 

 in feeding these materials must be observed. The maximum daily 

 rations for milk cows should not exceed 3 pounds, fattening cattle 6 

 pounds, fattening sheep 1^/2 pounds, fattening swine 2 pounds. Work- 

 ing oxen may have as much as 4 pounds, and calves 3 months of age, up 

 to 1 pound. At the finishing stages these amounts must be reduced. 

 As a source of energy for working animals these feeding stuffs are less 

 suitable. They should be fed only sparingly to horses. They should be 

 fed in the form of crushed cakes or ground meal to horses, sheep and 

 cattle. It is best to feed the crushed cakes dry, with other feeds. When 

 given in the meal form they are usually moistened with a little water 

 immediately before feeding. It is frequently pointed out, however, that 



