CONDIMENTS 77 



are very hard, hence it is usual to extract them, and 

 retain the pods chiefly for stock-feeding purposes. The 

 following is the composition : 6 per cent, albuminoids, 

 i per cent, oil, 70 per cent, carbohydrates, and 6 per 

 cent, fibre. The carbohydrates are all digestible. 



The locust beans may be obtained on the market 

 as : 



(1) Nuts, i.e., broken down to approximately half- 



inch in length. 



(2) Coarsely ground meal about size of peas. The 



above are both very suitable for lamb foods, etc. 



(3) Medium ground meal fine for horses. 



(4) Finely ground meal used chiefly for spices. 



Aniseed (Pimpinella anisuni). An umbelliferous 

 plant, valuable for its aromatic fruits. It is used for 

 spicing foods, and thus making them attractive to 

 animals. 



Gentian. The root of the gentian plant (Gentiana 

 luted] is first dried and then ground into a powder. It 

 is a most valuable stomach tonic. 



Coriander. The fruit of the coriander plant (Cori- 

 andrum sativum} is used as an aromatic stimulant as 

 well as a spice for inferior foods. 



Ginger. Commercial ginger is the rhizome of the 

 ginger plant (Zingiber officinal}. Rhizomes are dug up 

 and plunged in boiling water for a few minutes, and 

 dried in the sun (black ginger) ; or, if the outer skin is 

 scraped till white after washing, it is called white ginger. 

 When mixed with foods in the powdered form it helps to 

 remove the gases which may accumulate in the stomach 

 or intestines. 



Cane Sugar Molasses. This is the by-product 

 obtained after the extraction of sugar from the sugar-cane 



