MAINTENANCE DIETS 



179 



to its weight. In the following table the calculated 

 minimum food requirement for oxen of various weights 

 is given^ both in terms of heat and in pounds of digested 

 organic matter and starch.^ By referring to the table 

 on p. 160, the amount of any ordinary food equivalent 

 to this quantity of starch can be ascertained. 



MINIMUM FOOD DAILY EEQUIRED BY LEAN OXEN. 



The quantity of food reckoned as sufficient for 

 maintenance in this table is really rather too small 



> The maintenance diet for an ox of any other weight can be calcu- 

 lated from the figures in the table, recollecting that the relative 

 surface, and therefore food requirement, of any two animals is as the 

 cube root of the square of their respective volumes or weights. 



2 Kellner states that 1 gram of the digestible organic matter of the 

 hay used had the value of 3 "5 Calories. As he reckons 1 gram of starch 

 as 3-7 Calories, the equivalent quantities of starch have been calculated 

 on this basis. 



