Food Requirements of Animals. 251 



much as the legume hays. The beneficial use of wood ashes, as 

 a supplement to corn in the ration of pigs, probably lies, in part 

 at least, in its high lime content. The use of artificial sources of 

 lime for growing animals of all classes, where the natural sources 

 are not available, is highly justifiable. Probably lime as a phos- 

 phate serves this purpose best, and either what is called pre- 

 cipitated calcium phosphate or the crude, finely ground phosphate 

 known as ''floats" can be used to advantage. About 14 "to % of 

 an ounce per 100 pounds of live weight during the rapidly grow- 

 ing periods should serve the purpose of building a strong skeleton. 



The effect of improperly balanced rations on growing animals. The ra- 

 tion fed these pigs was too low in phosphorus. 



No attempt is made here to give directions for feeding animals : 

 this must be sought for in texts wholly devoted to that subject. 

 Only a few of the more fundamental principles are discussed. 



Dangers from too rich milk. In recognizing the mother's milk 

 as supplying the nutrients in the best forms and proportions, it 

 is necessary to add that milks very rich in fat have been found 

 to cause intestinal disturbances and impaired nutrition. This is 

 not only true of cow's milk fed the calf, but also true when that 

 milk is fed to pigs or to the human infant. 



The following explanation for this harmful effect of excess of 

 fat in the food has been offered: The general capacity of an 

 organism for the absorption of fat is strictly confined within nar- 

 row limits and consequently an excessive supply is not absorbed. 



