484 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



under some conditions to the extent of satisfying the needs 

 of the animals as to water. Experiments conducted at the 

 Kansas and also at the Wisconsin station showed that in- 

 crease in the protein in the food increased the consump- 

 tion of water. Salt consumed in excess by animals salt 

 hungry, will invariably lead to the consumption of a large 

 amount of water. 



But there is something in the nature of certain foods 

 that influences the consumption of water apart from the 

 amount of water they contain. Corn and barley, for in- 

 stance, contain virtually the same amounts of water and 

 in experiments conducted at the Wisconsin station, it was 

 found that the swine fattened on barley meal required about 

 3 pounds of water for every 2 pounds required by those fed 

 on corn meal. The water used in soaking the meal is in- 

 cluded in both instances. Bran and oil cake when freely 

 fed lead to increased water consumption. 



The weather exercises a potent influence on the con- 

 sumption of water. The quantity of water consumed in- 

 creases as temperatures rise, other things being equal. This 

 is owing in part at least to the greater activity of the ex- 

 cretory organs especially the glands of the skin as previ- 

 ously intimated. The necessity for water is so great in hot 

 weather that it is probable no diet, however succulent, will 

 completely obviate the necessity for taking it. 



The copious character of the dews or the opposite ex- 

 ercise an important influence on water requirement, but 

 no amount of dew will preclude the necessity of any class 

 of domestic animals for taking water when the grazing has 

 but little succulence. The moistness or dryness of the atmos- 

 phere exercises an influence on the consumption of water 

 both directly and indirectly. The indirect influence comes 

 through increase or decrease in the succulence of the plants. 

 The same plant grown in a dry atmosphere has less of 

 moisture in it than if grown in a moist atmosphere. 



It would seem correct to say that the consump- 

 tion of water increases relatively with increase in per- 

 formance. A horse at labor takes much more water 



