COMPOSITION OF PLANTS AND FEEDS 387 



guaranteed analysis is not necessarily proof that the feed is com- 

 posed of the ingredients named, but the feed should be examined 

 microscopically or otherwise when necessary. Two feeds of the 

 same guaranteed analysis do not necessarily have the same feed- 

 ing value, unless they are the same feed. A feed should be 

 true to name, regardless of the guarantee. If foreign matter has 

 been mixed with it, the feed is adulterated, regardless of the 

 chemical analysis. Feeds are sometimes adulterated with other 

 by-products of the same process of manufacture. Wheat bran 

 may be adulterated with screenings; cottonseed meal may have 

 such a quantity of hulls left in it that it is no longer entitled to be 

 called cottonseed meal; an excess of hulls may be run into rice 

 bran. 



The term feeding stuff does not include indigestible materials, 

 such as peat, earth, ground leather, sand, etc., or poisonous 

 materials, such as poisonous plants, poppy seeds, castor-oil seed 

 meal, etc. The value of a feed depends upon its nature and its 

 chemical analysis. Chemical analysis alone is not sufficient, since 

 materials vary considerably in digestibility and nutritive value, 

 even with the same chemical composition. A microscopic ex- 

 amination is also necessary. 



Injurious Feeds. Rust and smut fungi sometimes cause disease 

 or injury to animals eating the diseased feed. Moldy feed is 

 liable to be dangerous to animals, as poisonous substances may 

 be present. Yeasts found in by-products from beverages, etc., 

 cause fermentation in the stomach. Boiling or steaming will 

 obviate such danger. Frozen fodder feed in quantity is liable to 

 cause digestive disturbances. When it thaws, it readily decom- 

 poses. Many kinds of weed seeds, such as field poppy, and corn 

 cockles, have injurious effects. Sand, dirt, and ashes may cause 

 no injury, but sometimes they give rise to serious digestive dis- 

 turbances, constipation, or even death. 



Percentage of Water. The quantity of water in feeds, etc., 

 may be seen on reference to the tables. Hay and straw contain 

 12-17 P er cent -> cereal grains 11 to 15 per cent, and oil cake and 

 meal contains 6 to 13 per cent. Meals, cakes, and grain easily 



