THE SELECTION OF FOODS 53 



digest bulky foods. Chauveau gives the total capacity of 

 the stomach of the horse as 19 quarts, of the ox as 226.9 

 quarts, of the sheep in its various divisions 31.3 quarts, and 

 of the hog as 8.5 quarts. With horses and swine, however, 

 the intestinal capacity is much larger than with cattle and 

 sheep. Notwithstanding, the superior ability of the latter 

 to consume relatively larger quantities of bulky foods is 

 apparent, both from the relatively larger stomach capacity 

 and from the better mastication which they can give to 

 these while ruminating. The pig, because of the smallness 

 of the stomach, is the least well adapted to consume bulky 

 food. To attempt to rear an animal thus constituted on bulky 

 foods only would be fatal to success. 



The difference in the needs of the animals of the same 

 class at different ages is very marked with reference to the 

 bulk and concentration in the foods fed. The stomach of a 

 calf is relatively small. This is particularly true of the first 

 stomach. To feed a young calf bulky food would be fatal 

 to its well being. The stomach has not sufficient distension 

 for such a food, nor have the organs sufficient capacity to 

 digest it. The introduction of bulky foods must be gradual 

 and increasingly progressive. The adaptation to modified 

 digestive capacity gradually secures the distension neces- 

 sary.. By the time a cattle beast becomes grown, it may 

 easily be maintained on bulky foods only. This change in 

 digestive capacity is found in all domestic animals, but not 

 in equal degree, because of the differences in digestive 

 capacity. 



The objects for which the animals are kept, influence 

 in a marked degree the relative proportions in the bulk and 

 concentration in the foods fed. It would seem correct to 

 say that necessity for bulk in foods is greatest during the 

 growing period, and that the necessity for concentration 

 increases with production required from the living animal 

 in the form of food and labor, and that it is greatest when 

 the animal is being finished for the block. Under favor- 

 able conditions, horses, cattle and sheep may be grown to 



