CHAPTER VIII 

 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



Water and Dry Matter. An analysis of any food 

 stuff will show, first, that it is composed of water and 

 dry matter. The proportion of each may be determined 

 by weighing the substance, then heating it till all the 

 water is driven off and then weighing it again. A 

 surprising amount of water will be found in all foods. 

 This water, although it increases the palatability of 

 the food, might be taken as a drink just as well, for 

 the dry matter contains the substances that furnish 

 the animal products and growth. 



If now the dry matter in foods is burned, it will be 

 found that after all the food that can be burned is 

 consumed there still remains a substance called ash. 



Ash. This residue contains the incombustible por- 

 tion of the dry matter. The ash is an essential in the 

 food of all animals. It enters into the composition of the 

 bones and is found in all other parts of the body. Foods 

 ordinarily contain a large enough proportion of mineral 

 matter to furnish the body with all that it needs, but 

 sometimes it is necessary to supply it directly to animals. 

 Hens are fed lime, ground oyster shells, and ground 

 bone to supply this lack in their food. Hogs are fed 

 bone meal, ashes, and even floats to give enough ash to 

 fulfill all the demands of the body. Salt is furnished 

 for the same purpose to cattle, horses, and sheep. 



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