VEGETABLE FOODS. 169 



In the form of chopped fodder it is a valuable addition to the food 

 of the ruminants and horses. Care must be taken that the straw has not 

 been kept in a moist place ; otherwise, when fed to milk cattle, an unpleas- 

 ant taste will be given to the milk. 



It has been stated that of all the cereals oats are the richest in oil 

 and albuminoids, according to Mr. Richardson (Amer. Chem. Journ., 

 October, 1886), the average for the former being 8.14, and for the latter 

 14.31 per cent. The composition may be placed as follows, in its dis- 

 tribution in the kernel and hull : 



Kernel. Hull. Whole Grain. 



70.00 30.00 100.00 



It is thus seen that Richardson's analysis of American oats differs 

 from that given by other authorities. He places the percentage of water 

 lower than that of other aualysists, whilst 'the principal increase of 

 solids is found in the oil and inorganic constituents, his estimation of 

 proteids agreeing with that of others. The constituents of oats are, 

 however, very greatly subject to the climate in which they are grown, 

 and Mr. Richardson has found the average albuminoids in the grains 

 distributed as follows over the different sections of the United States : 



Northern States, 10.96 per cent. 



Southern States, 10.66 " 



Pacific Slope 9.60 " 



Atlantic Slope, 10.76 " 



Western States, 11.24 " 



These figures are, however, dependent upon the percentage of husk, 

 and not on peculiarities of their kernel, and therefore the proportion of 

 husk to kernel and the compactness of the grain prove to be the most 

 important factors, and the weight per bushel the best means of judging 

 of the value of the grain. Oats having the husk are necessarily heavier 

 in weight per one hundred grains. The heaviest oats are from the Pacific 

 Slope, and the South ranks next, owing to the large size of the grain. 

 In weight per bushel, however, the fluffy husk of the Southern grain makes 

 it the lowest in the country, while the Pacific Slope contains the highest 

 weight per bushel, as also in size and weight per hundred, showing the 

 grain to be plump and well-filled. The heaviest weights per busliel 

 determined by Mr. Richardson were found in specimens from Colorado 

 and Dakota, weighing 48.8 and 48.6 pounds. The lightest were from 

 Alabama and Florida, 24.7 and 26.9 pounds, respectively. He found an 



