92 OUR FARM CROPS. 



a much longer period before it can be assimilated as food 

 consequently a large proportion is passed through the 

 stomach of an animal only partially digested. This diffi- 

 culty may be met to a great extent by previous macer- 

 ation (mixing) with warm water, about blood heat, and 

 allowing the fermentative process to be set up, by which 

 the action of digestion will be commenced, and its con- 

 stituents rendered far more speedily available as food. 



