FOOD FROM CEREALS AND OTHER SEEDS 23! 



being fattened, they may constitute the sole grain ration, 

 under some conditions, but gains considerably higher will 

 result if corn is fed along with them. From the standpoint 

 of increase, it would probably be within bounds to say that 

 the proportion should vary from two-thirds oats and one- 

 third corn at the commencement of the fattening season to 

 two-thirds corn and one-third oats at its close. No grain 

 food has higher adaptation for sheep, while they are being 

 led up to full feed than oats. Other grain, as wheat, barley, 

 rye or peas may be substituted for corn, but except in the 

 case of wheat, the results will not usually be quite so good. 



For swine, and especially for young swine, the adapta- 

 tion is not high, unless the hulls are sifted out. When so 

 sifted, the reverse is true. For swine subsequent to wean- 

 ing, the adaptation of unsifted oats is not more than medium, 

 and for swine that are being fattened, ground oats are con- 

 siderably inferior to corn. When the price will admit of so 

 feeding them, they make a good food for brood sows that 

 are nursing pigs. They should -be ground and soaked when 

 fed to swine. 



For horses, no substitute has been found that will equal 

 them, none has been found so healthful or that will give 

 and maintain the same degree of mettle and staying power. 

 Oats, therefore, usually fed unground except to young foals 

 or to horses whose teeth have failed, may make the sole 

 grain food for all animals of this class, or they may make 

 a part, preferably a principal part, usually not less than two- 

 thirds of the same. For American feeding, when the prices 

 will admit of it, the other third may be corn, barley, rye or 

 wheat. In some countries of northwestern Europe, horse 

 beans are freely fed with oats. More corn may be fed in 

 winter, particularly to horses and mules at work, than would 

 be advisable in summer. The opinion that newly matured 

 oats should not be fed in very large quantities to horses is 

 held by many, but all authorities are not agreed as to 

 whether there is hazard in so feeding them. 



