11 



Table 1. — Average composition of a number of feeding stuffs — Continued. 



"Largely nonalbuminoid nitrogenous materials, 

 t Verv largelv sugars. 



COMPARATIVE VALTJE OF FEEDING STUFFS. 



CEREAL GRAINS. 



It will be seen that the cereal grains resemljle one another quite 

 closely in compcsition, being characterized by fairly low water con- 

 tent and a considerable amount of protein and nitrogen-free exti"act. 

 Some crude fiber, derived from the outer or bran layer of the grain, is 

 also present. The superiorit}' of one grain over another, if it exists 

 at all, must therefore depend, in large measure, on some factor other 

 than composition. It has been urged by many that oats possess a 

 peculiar stimulating body called '"avenin." and are on this account 

 superior to other grains for horses. Oats undoubtedly possess a 

 flavor or some such characteristic which makes them a favorite food 

 with horses, but the most careful chemical study has failed to reveal 



170 



