FEEDING STUFFS. 



(In Connection with Dentition.) 



377. A few brief remarks anent some of the various kinds of feeding 

 stuffs may not be out of place in this lecture. 



378. Wheat. — This cereal, although a ready feeder, contains too 

 much starchy matter to make it a safe article of diet, either for 

 horses or cattle, when given alone, or in any appreciable quantity. 

 For the Horse, it should never be given raw, as it has a tendency to 

 produce flatulent colic, congestive fever, weed, swelled legs, laminitis, 

 and diarrhoea. It also throws the animal out of condition, causing it 

 to puff, blow, and sweat on the least exertion. When given at all, it 

 must be well boiled, used very sparingly, and mixed with other foods. 

 For Cattle, it should not be boiled, but given in a rough-grovmd or 

 crushed state, and when used judiciously, and given in combination, 

 for instance, v/ith decorticated cotton cake, it is a splendid feeding 

 substance. 



379. Barley. — If there is one. thing more than another which I 

 have a great fancy for, it is well-boiled, sound, sweet barley, for feeding 

 to horses or cattle, when recovering from any illness. If the animal 

 can be induced to take it, there is nothing better, when it is mixed 

 with a little bran. The boiling of barley seems to change its 

 properties, converting the starchy matter as it were into Dextyine, thus 

 aiding the first part of the process of digestion. For a very useful 

 and agreeable change in feeding fov a liovse, there is nothing to equal 

 a mash of fresh well-boiled barley, given twice a week, mixed with a 

 little bran and salt. It is readily digested, and is very refreshing to a 

 tired horse, after heavy work on a stormy day. Barley should, however, 

 never be given raw to a horse, as it produces intestinal disorders of 

 various kinds. For Cattle, it is best boiled, but may be given raw when 

 crushed and mixed with other foods. For a Calf, where milk is scarce, 

 barley flour (meal) combined with the same quantity of good oat meal, 

 well boiled, and mixed with skim milk, makes the best food, and will 



